Doctor-Assisted Suicide

An act of mercy or murder? The controversy rages on as laws spring up legalizing doctor-assisted suicide.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisted in the suicide of a Colorado multiple sclerosis patient whose body was discovered in a motel room.

A letter released by the office of Kevorkian's lawyer stated that Kari Miller, 54, of Englewood, Colorado, left a note saying she could no longer sit or lie down because of the excruciating pain, and could hardly walk. Her body was found at a Red Roof Inn in a suburb of Detroit.

"The pain I was forced to live with and what the MS had done to me became intolerable," she wrote. MS "had robbed me of all my dignity and my zest for life."

THE FACTORS IN QUESTION

Should Kevorkian-style services be available to any patient who is terminally ill and facing certain death within six months?

Is there a difference whether the patient is in unremitting physical pain, or whether they are suffering from emotional despair?

Is it a relevant factor that the pain could be reduced through modern pain-management techniques?

Should the option of a support group and hospice care be made mandatory for all terminally ill patients?

POSTED COMMENTS

Barry Greenman wrote:

I oppose assisted suicide. It's a cheap way for the elite to avoid caring for the helpless.

Anita wrote:

I have seen the damage that Dr. Kevorkian has caused. What he calls "medicide," I call "murder." He has as much right to help someone kill themselves as I do. Only I would be arrested for the act.

Kathryn wrote:

My grandmother is very ill with Parkinson's Disease. She has been hospitalized for over 10 years. She lost her husband to cancer. She can no longer speak clearly or see very well. She has not walked in over nine years. She cannot feed herself and wears diapers. Influenza spreads through the hospital every now and then, and a few people die each time. Recently she started to choke on her food a lot, due to some of the medication she was on.

It hurts me very much to visit my grandmother and see her suffering ... but it also inspires me.

It hurts me very much to visit her and see her suffering ... but it also inspires me. She wants to live her life to the best of her capabilities as long as she possibly can. She is in pain and she is lonely and she is paralyzed, yet she still goes on living with a courage most people never see.

How can we judge for someone else whether they want to be alive or not if they cannot speak? It is not our place to take away from them the chance to try.We can pray for their recovery, but if none comes, it is not our place to destroy something that God made.

GenJLong@aol.com wrote:

If euthanasia becomes legal, many families will pressure grandma or grandpa to have it done, eliminating the expense of a final illness, and smelling a larger inheritance after they are gone. Health insurance providers will also start refusing to pay for expensive care in the last year of life, on the grounds that the patient is going to die anyway.

Why look for expensive cures for cancer when you can put the patient out of his misery for much less money?

In fact, with the chance of doing away with sick people, there will be less reason to spend millions on medical research. Why look for expensive cures for cancer when you can put the patient out of his misery for much less money? When people become old, confused, or depressed, their relatives will nag them to "do it," and many will yield to their family's pressure. People do not realize the full scope of evil they invite if they seek to legalize euthanasia.

OPINION OF DR. KOOP

Measure #16 was a referendum presented to the residents of the State of Oregon in 1994 concerning the "Death with Dignity Act." We present here the argument of C. Everett Koop:

As former United States Surgeon General, I have worked first hand in developing health care policies. Many proposed policies at first sound like good ideas, but in fact are very dangerous. Measure #16 is one of those policies.

Measure #16 confuses the role of physicians in our society. Doctors have an ethical and professional responsibility to sustain life when possible. Measure #16 would create an environment where physician-assisted suicide becomes the first line of defense against terminal diseases, resulting in final and fatal decisions. The medical profession cannot be society's healer and killer at the same time.

A patient's request for suicide is a signal that certain needs are not being met.

Measure #16 prescribes suicide as a treatment for disease. A patient's request for suicide is a signal that certain needs are not being met. Most likely, the patient is suffering from unnecessary pain or treatable depression. Doctors too often fail to dispense adequate pain management. The solution is to provide mental health treatment or better pain management, not drugs for suicide. This is the time for the doctor to be the patient's support, not his/her killer.

Measure #16 is ripe for abuse. The so-called safeguards built into Measure #16 are inadequate. Patients remain vulnerable to outside pressures to choose suicide. Physicians are required only to suggest the patient notify family members, leaving many to choose suicide without the support of loved ones.

Measure #16 strikes at the most vulnerable. Cost containment is a positive and necessary step toward health care reform. However, in this environment Measure #16 is dangerous. Poor, elderly, frail and disabled patients will be the victims if the "choice" to die becomes the "duty" to die.

JEWISH PERSPECTIVE

In Jewish law, any form of active euthanasia is strictly prohibited and condemned as plain murder.

The fact that the patient is in unremitting pain and pleads for assistance in ending his life does not change the law. Anyone who kills a dying person is liable to the death penalty as a common murderer.

Active euthanasia, by means of an overt act to hasten death is prohibited, even if the patient is suffering great pain and discomfort, as explained by the following Talmudic and Rabbinic sources:

One who is in a dying condition is regarded as a living person in all respects. (Talmud - Smachot 1:1)

One may not close the eyes of a dying person ... Rabbi Meir would say: "It is to be compared to a sputtering candle which is extinguished as soon a person touches it - so too, whoever closes the eyes of a dying person is compared to have taken the soul." (Talmud - Smachot 1:4)

Even the removal of a pillow when a person is in death throes, thereby hastening death, is forbidden. (Rabbi Moses Isserles, Code of Jewish Law)

It is permitted to administer morphine, etc., to a dying person when necessary to relieve pain, even when though there is a known risk of hastening the [patient's] death, provided that the sole intention of the therapy is to relieve pain and suffering. This is only true if each injection, in and of itself, is not certain to shorten the patient's life, rather the cumulative effect may be life-shortening. However, in a case where even one injection of morphine might cause spontaneous respiration to cease, it is forbidden to administer this drug, even if he is in serious pain, unless the patient will be mechanically respirated. (Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, quoted in Nishmat Avraham, Vol. 2, Yoreh Deah 339:4)

Life, be it for 120 years, or a split second, is of infinite value - mystical, and unfathomable. Therefore the quality of life at any one moment does not alter its infinite value.

DISCLAIMER: This module discusses sources for the purpose of education. Any real-life situation must be discussed with a rabbi, well-versed in Jewish law.

About the Author

Visitor Comments: 200

(191)
Leilah,
September 19, 2012 7:36 PM

Is it really playing god?

Everytime a doctor gives a patient a pill, it is playing god. Just like reproducing is a role of playing god. Everything we do involves "playing god" especially in the medical field. If an elder person is suffering/dying or being kept alive against their own will/a machine, so that they can go into a vegetated state for other families/friends benefit, how fare is that for the suffering/patient? NOT FARE AT ALL. What Jack Kevorkian did along with other working physicans and curious students in the medical field are doing to help those patients be heard is absolutely correct and beneficial/ their choice! Not anyone else's. It is theirs and once the choice is made, the doctor should be able to legally help them/medicate them! Without wasting most of their life in jail, like Kevorkian had to do.

tim,
December 11, 2012 7:57 PM

I agree 100% let those who choose to suffer all the indignities this life can impose on us suffer if they want to. When someone is in severe pain and their is no quality of life left I think the ones playing god are the ones that force that peoson to keep suffering. They are the evil ones as far as I am concerned. Ones death and when one chooses it if they want should be a god given right. God hung on the croos there is no need for us to be crucified by all these people who want to force people to live when they are begging to die. Usually it's not for the patient they do this for selfish reasons and their own fears of death. If a person says I've had it and don't want to live who are we to say you must suffer on and on and on. I will not live like that when there is no quality of life left I will do it myself peacefully and I know how to do it. I have also been wiped out by our wonderful medical establishment, have lived in severe and chronic pain for 17 years and if I don't continue to get morphine because of the war on drugs I have it all planned. I don't think any of you have the right to tell me I must keep living in severe pain. Anyone who say's that has no idea of how debillitationg and severe pain can be. No one should have the right to force someione to live past the point where they no longer feel life is worth living. You don't believe me try living in severe pain for nearly 20 years you might change your mind.

(190)
Anonymous,
May 15, 2012 6:31 PM

Wish it was me

If you suffer from two brain tumors and an autoimmune disorder sometimes you seek something assisted. Rather out be bloody and painful the opposite is achieved. If you expect to die earlier and live every waking moment in pain what is the problem? the momentous commenters have no idea what it is like to be truly ill unless stricken with such horror. Statistically most won't. At least I thought the same. Enjoy your life while you can. Some are not as fortunate to do the same.

(189)
courtney,
May 3, 2012 11:50 AM

if you can be taken off life support then you should be given the option of ending your own life, it should be something that should be greatly considered and not just for people who want to just because. there are people out there who suffer great pain and we just sit back and wait for them to die on their own when we know it is enevitable anyway. it is cruel. i would never want to be in so much pain that i cant move without it hurting and have my friends and family just sit by.

(188)
Peanut,
April 25, 2012 6:48 PM

Think about this

Think about this, people are allowed to terminate life support on a person who does not have a living will. A living will is a will that is written explaining what a person would want in the event that something happens to them. If a person doesn't have one their family is still allowed to take them off life support. What if they wanted to live like that for the rest of their life? It is legal for us to do that, yet it is not legal for a doctor to help someone who actually asked to die, to die. In a way aren't they the exact same thing. If doctor assisted suicide should be considered for murder because the outcome is death, then terminating life support regardless of a persons request should also be illegal, because if you take them off life support, the outcome is the same death! So if both outcomes are death, then neither should be legal because they're both murder then.

(187)
Bethany,
April 20, 2012 12:47 AM

I think any person can choose whether they die or not

Your opinions are all great, but it isn't your life. If a lonely old man wanted to die with a little dignity before he turned into a shell of a person, I think he should have the right to do that. If it is legal, that allows other people to have this procedure done, it doesn't mean you have to have get yourself involved in it, it is just allowing options. Physician Assisted Suicide has the same concept as abortion in my opinion and that is the fact that it is an option.
Whether or not that is okay with God is for me to figure out but last time I read the Old Testament it didn't say, "do what's right and judge all of those you think are doing wrong." Dr. Jack Kevorkian is still God's child, and he may have made a wrong turn here or there but your opinion is unnecessary.
And if I saw a person with a terrible illness like pancreatic cancer, an incurable disease, I would not be inspired, I would be miserable. I want any person in their right mind to be able to end their own life. If it does lower insurance costs, that is just a bonus but that should not affect the decision. I also highly doubt that a family member would personally want a family member to go through with this in order to save money. I don't know if my opinion is right but I don't think yours are either.

(186)
Bea H.H.,
March 30, 2012 9:01 AM

If only families would care

When we are old and ill. Families don't care and do not want us around. I am at 82 living too long, most of the time thats how my family treats me. I have cancer, heart problems, diabetic, losing my sight. I live alone and sometimes able to get volunteer help for my medical needs. Yes I am in pain and manage to get through it with HaShem help. When I wake up in the morning the first thing I feel is my terrible pains, it makes me feel that I am still alive. So should I live or die?When the pain is bad, thats when I wish to leave this world mostly because my family does not care and yet, it is a Blessing when I see and enjoy all the modern advancement that life has to offer including computers and cell phones.If my ills become to hard to bare then it would be nice to have medical help to end my stay in this wonderful, beautiful world.
I thank you for this chance to share my feelings.
Chayah aka Bea

(185)
jason,
March 12, 2012 3:12 AM

I have pityriasis rosea and now i have a gum diesese

Some times its so sad to see your self in the mirror and no thats not you

(184)
alyssa,
December 4, 2011 2:24 AM

I am doing a persuasive speech on this topic for college, and I am for it. I fell that if you have the right to determine the outome of a pregnancy you should have the right to choose the determination of your future.

Chana,
January 27, 2012 9:00 AM

That's right, you DON'T have the right to determine pregnancy!

And this is exactly one more reason why these acts are so dangeous - "righting" one wrong does not only create that specific harm, but leads the way to righting even more wrongs on that premise.
You certainly do NOT have a right to determine the outcome of a pregnancy - abortion has become to prevalent, but what exactly makes it any less murder than the killing of a child outside the womb? In my last pregnancy I was advised to "terminate the pregnancy" due to my having CMV. "Terminate the pregnancy." A cleaner way of saying "kill the baby". All society now needs to do is refer to child murder as "terminating childhood" and that makes it a tad more innocent.. and another step in the direction this world has been taking toward Sedom-like laws.
You and I and everyone else have absolutely no right to terminate ANY life - whether in the womb, outside, or on a hospital bed. It is only for God to decide. Terrible stories have been told about terminating seemingly "pointless" lives - every moment of which was in fact offering the victim extra merits in the world to come, now "terminated" by those who supposedly loved him - and the suffering it had brought. Who are we to take the fate of another into our hands????

(183)
Annette Campbell,
November 10, 2011 6:45 AM

I so AGREE with the "Dr. assisted suicide" as some say.

I just watched my mom die of BLADDER CANCER-that spread to her liver, kidney, lung, rectum. she had her bowels removed and recieved the gasostomy bag in 1994. so for almost 20yrs of her life,it was hell for her and for us. she was in so much pain, she felt she was a burden on us. she didnt want to die at first, but at the end she just wanted to sleep in peace she couldnt handle the pain anymore. For us, i cant even start to explain how awful it was, watching her go through that and do nothing to help. For the first time ever, in my life, there was NOTHING I COULD DO to HELP MY MOM. I felt so useless. for the last 2months of her life this how i felt, and i just wished for her to be at PEACE, i just wished the doctors would help end her pain. It hurt so bad,at the end i didnt even want to go see her because i hated seeing her like that,she was not my mom,she was just an empty shell, just waiting to die. I could see it in her eyes.
But i was told "we are not aloud to do that" I was in shock, wondering how its ok to let them suffer like that, knowing they are going to die anyways. why not allow them to make the choice to die sooner than later, easing them from the pain, and discomfort. saving them abit of dignity. saving their family, the pain of watching them die. and let us remember our loved ones the way they were before they got sick. When my mom did finally die, it was so hard to say good bye, but yet i was so happy for her. i knew when she left us, i really did see the look of pure happiness, come over her face. finally got what she wanted. to be PAINFREE. I love u mom, R.I.P always.
if a patient is terminaly ill, then I ask that you allow them to make their own choice. and save the family from all the extra pain of watching them die. If this is what the FAMILY ASKs for, then why not.
you are giving the patient and loved ones the best gift ever. PEACE.

Anonymous,
December 1, 2011 3:04 AM

i definetly agree. and im very sorry for ur loss.ur mom is in a better place. u have my prayers

=),
December 7, 2011 6:22 AM

I AGREE!! NOO One should decide but the person going through all of the pain. Who are we to stop them from committing suicide if its their choice and they are the ones suffering..

Christina,
February 15, 2012 7:51 PM

So then you do not believe in miracles? What if your mom could have gotten better, even in the most unlikely circumstances. God can do anything, and doctor-assisted suicide is giving up. If your family member does end up dying in the end, such as your mother, at least you would know that you and the doctors did everything you could to keep them alive, and preserved the sanctity of life.

(182)
Anonymous,
November 1, 2011 4:36 PM

I feel if a person has the need to end his or her life than it should be legal

I am for this I have watched both my parents suffer my father the worst from cancer. He was a proud man. I am sure if this was offered to my him he may have choose to do so. I know now in my life I am suffering in alot of pain my spine is detearateing I will not end up a burden to my family I would choose this for my self . for pain reasons and not to burden my family with caring for me.

(181)
Jacob Knapton,
July 21, 2011 12:19 AM

GenJLong@aol.com said “Why look for expensive cures for cancer when you can put the patient out of his misery for much less money?” I strongly oppose that comment. My father is a cancer survivor and if we had thought that way my father wouldn’t be here this day. So many things in my life I would’ve missed out on you can’t even put a price on! No matter how expensive cancer treatment is, my father’s love and encouragement is priceless. I am a 14 year old boy and without my father i would be nothing.

(180)
Anonymous,
April 12, 2011 10:54 AM

Have you read the bill? Family members cannot decide for you only you alone can ask to die. If you are not of sound mind you can't even ask for this. So why are so many people upset? Why do you think that this is some evil plot? I would like to know that if I am through pain I can chose to end it. I don't care if this is considered brave or cowardly this would be something I chose and no one else can influence.

(179)
Paul Jr,
April 12, 2011 4:29 AM

What could go wrong with the choice?

If a person had the choice to choose if he/she wanted to end it then let them. But why not give the person who wants that final decision to have a doctor who will let that person regardless of what that Dr. feels and would give up all moral responsibility if I could use those words there.

(178)
CoryCher,
March 3, 2011 3:54 PM

Are our Pets better than us?

(continued)
I do not condone that doctors may be given the ability to kill anyone at will when requested, and it should be kept for the people who need it most, due to sevear pain and suffering.
We as a society allow pets the welcomeness of death at an old age, mental status. Why are they allowed the peace that comes with it, when we as a advanced race must suffer?

(177)
Corycher,
March 3, 2011 3:49 PM

Are our pets better than we are?

In modern society, people often find a way to look at certain situations in a certain way that should be bothj astounding and recombant, due to the clear amount of selfishness in ones own personal decision. Withing the prior comments a certain individual stated that the fact of the sevearly disabled put forth a sence of hope for thier family. This is wrong due to the simple fact that even when suffering under who knows how many conditions, they still wish to put this singular person through the pain and potential life risking operations; often leading into something even more painful. Euthinasia is someones own personal decision, and should therefore be allowed under the most extreme cases.
We as a singular people are faced with the reality of suicide in our day to day lives, often it can be sudden and unexpected, but through things such as doctor assisted suicide we gain the ability to keep suicide to the lowest level of reprocussion for the families affected. Ones personal decision for suicide can be very haphazard and can cause many unruely sideeffects. As an example i bring forth the suicide of a local man within the past year. This suicide was both very unnexpected, and had disastourous side effects on the family. This man, Let call him John, Was a local truck driver, married, with 3 sons ages 18, 13, 11. John had recentally lost his job working for a oil company. One day after his sons football game, and down on his luck, John decided to end his life. He gathered up his shotgun, walked behind the garage on thier land, and blew his own brains out. Startled by this noise, His 14 year old son ran to see what the commotion was, only to discover his father splattered across the back lawn. Recently this family has had to endure the pain of placing this son into a mental institute.
With the ability to seek help from a doctor to resolve this issue, he may have beenb able to prevent some of the pain this caused his family. I do not condone that doctors (CONT)

(176)
Sarah Ashley,
March 3, 2011 2:40 AM

Were all going to die

We all are going to die one day. Why does it matter how or when? It should be the persons choice, and it shouldnt just be for people who are ill, what about people who are clinically depressed? What about peole who just realize they have nothing else to live for? What if I'm just tired of life and tired of trying to making other people happy but always failing?

Anonymous,
May 22, 2011 5:17 PM

It's your life after all

That realization is 100% correct why should you live up to someone elses standards and not your own. After all its your life that you wanna take so why does anybody want to say "NO" to it after all its not theirs your gonna take so those people should just take a step back and relax and be glad its not their life that going to end short.

(175)
Anonymous,
March 1, 2011 3:04 AM

I think that their should be assisted suicide because some poeple can make their own decions.Even though it is against some people religion.

(174)
Anonymous,
February 19, 2011 4:20 AM

reply

I don't think that there is anything wrong with doctor assisted suicide. If a person has chronic excruciating pain and it is unrelenting, there is no quality of life. I don't think that Dr. Kevorkian was wrong. It someone is in such excruciating pain all the time, I think that doctor assisted suicide should be legal.

Anonymous,
March 19, 2011 4:39 AM

then in that case the person who is in such excruciating pain should take their own life..why put that burden on a person who went into a profession to save lives..not help take lives? i am a Nursing student & i am in the profession to help people live not die. i would never have a clear mind knowing i tried to play God. i am against it.

Anonymous,
December 11, 2012 8:49 PM

Excuse me and all due respect you are playing god. I guess your feelings are let them do it themselves and if they mess it up and are forced to live halpf paralysed or worse well at least you had nothing to do with itl What's wrong with helping some one who is of sound mind and body to go peacefully>????? I hope you never have to suffer in chronic pain or some other horrific condition. Then you will know who play's god. The doctors that dole out the pain medication and yank people off of it every day for silly obsurd reasons only to make the pain sufferer seffer enen more. You really want to know who is playing god well you may find out some day. They might decide they dion't like your insurance so no more care, they may think you went to a party and had too many drinks, no more care. They may even decide the amount's you are recieving are more than a sensible amount so they will pull the meds thrw you into severe with drawl and just leave you theere to rot. You have no idea what these doctor's are capable of. i gues you are still a student. I have been suffeiring in severe pain for 17 years and the only thing that even takes the edge off is morphine. Now you really find out who plays god all the doctors you see all the discussions you witness and yeas the guilt that you have to take it in the first place makes you non credible. You will be at the doctors mercy or should I say god. Why would you want to make a peerson who is going to do it any way dfo it in such a way as to cause unthinkable carnage as they violently leave this world to go see GOD. Physician assisted suicide should be a right. Who are we to say we won't allow the person to obtain the medication that will take us out of our suffering in a very humame and peaceful way. Why not give the same dignity you give to a poodle to a human being. This is all wrong and those who think they should decide are the cruelest of all

(173)
Paul Jr,
January 20, 2011 12:52 AM

Why not have doctor assisted suicide its only your life that your gonna take, nobody else's whats wrong with thar

I was in a bad vehicle accident in 05 and am in a wheelchair. Thats not so bad but I can still walk but with a walker and my father treats me just like I was a kid again. I know that that isn't so bad but its how he makes me feel thats the worst....you try having a brain injury and being in a wheelchair with a father that treats you like how his mother treated him thats the worst. His mother my grandma was the worst person ever but to him she was great. I beg to differ see walk a mile in my shoes and he'd be different on how he viewed the world. If I could get a doctor to help for doctor assisted suicide I'd take it up because my father is set in his ways like his mother and she just bought the farm (died) and my life won't change till my father buys the farm too but that won't happen for some time yet . I would like to get in touch with doctor jack kevorkian because then I'd sign my own obituary to just die and go away.

(172)
Paul Jr,
January 15, 2011 7:00 AM

Is suicide Wrong?

When you have a bad incident happen to you and can't even function in a wheelchair properly how does one think not about suicide. You've given it your best shot and yet you still go no farther ahead or behind you just sit in one idle place. Now how does that seem to you when everyone around you is advancing and going places while you as much as try you go absolutely nowhere and at first you don't let it get to you, but after awhile it begins to bother you as your friends kids get bigger and you you just sit idle like a panting dog waiting to petted on the head to be told that you did good but you know inside that your never gonna go anywhere just keep on dreamin the big dream!!. Is suicide wrong when it brings peace to an otherwise pointless life that your living, go on just O.D. its painless and you'll be high as a kite to maybe spasming but otherwise high as a kite would you know your name? If I used a needle which I've always said no to I'd go down in a blaze of glory!!! Because I don't believe in heaven or hell but a Abyss its a void of eternal bliss bliss can be whatever you wanna make of it good and or evil or a ???? just a ?????where you just think ??????????

(171)
Anonymous,
January 10, 2011 4:27 PM

THIS IS UNCALLED FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why would you want to help someone die?!! why not let nature take its course. God doesnt not take anyone until he is ready for them! you should not take your life or help someone take there life.

(170)
,
January 10, 2011 2:22 AM

No one in this world can even make a comment about this unless you have been in their shoes. I speak from experience and I'm only here because I didn't count on being found the way I was. You can't make a person want to live if they feel they have had enough. I don't care if it's horrible emotional pain or physical, you should be allowed to make that decission on your own. I have endured a trauma that effects my daily life everyday but nobody can understand that kind of pain. I'm waiting for the day I can find someone who could help.

(169)
Paul Jr.,
January 8, 2011 9:34 PM

Why not Assisted suicide ?

Your not killing anyone else but yourself so why should anyone or anybody care, for one thing it's not them so they'll get to live to see another day yay!!!!!!!!!!!

(168)
Anonymous,
January 8, 2011 3:30 AM

Doctor Assisted Suicide Yes!!!!!!!!!!

I believe you hit "That" point where you'll never better yourself and you'll never get off that "Point" so you see yourself just sitting idle at one spot and one only for the rest of your life never going to go anywheir, thats just unaviodable to beat and conqur and know that your beaten, to know that you'll never be what you once were is awful and is a let down totally!! To know you are beaten is just awful to be broken is the worst there is and the ultimate let down in life. Knowone wants to be that be but it happens to us all at some point in our lives or not. But its how you look at the cup of water that filled in the middle: its either half full for an optimist or half empty for a pessimist. One can either take assisted suicide as good or bad but then you have have to judge the field on how you judge the water at the middle is it half full or half empty? I know I know alittle of topic but its all on how you look at suicide it can be good/bad/mediocure/?/the reasons up to you to decide But see Everybody talks about suicide what brings a person to that point? huh?Its about time to just let people who want to end it end it. WHEN YOU THINK ITS OVER THEN ITS OVER

(167)
rds190,
December 31, 2010 4:17 PM

I live with Pain everyday, until your here you should not comment

I live with a degenerative condition that is very painful and one day will rob me of all my dignity and self reliance. I plan on choosing my own way out and think that people getting upset at patients making this choice are just being selfish. There not getting upset that their loved one is now free, there upset that they will miss their loved one and that is selfish. Let us the sick people choose and try and support us. We don't want to be a burden, I know people will say we don't care that your a burden but it ways on us greatly. When I have to start wearing diapers or the pain gets so great and constant then I will choose to find my own way to God and hope there is someone out there that can help me and insure I don't screw it up and make my situation a lot worse. It's easy to sideline but until you live with a painful condition then you can never really know.

Anonymous,
December 11, 2012 9:30 PM

I think I know what you have I have severe spinal chord compression and major degeneration. It this is what you have I know what you are dealing with. It is something that no one can see there fore they have no idea what it is like. i have discussed one day when thing's get worse and it's at the point where life is no longer worth living with a few of my friends and they simple can't even discuss it

(166)
Obamom,
October 29, 2010 5:25 PM

once someone reaches a certain level of pain that cant be cured i think it should be their choice whether or not to live or die.

(165)
Anonymous,
October 27, 2010 4:58 PM

So, i am a student that has to write a paper about assisted suiced and i just wanted to give my opinion. Anyways, I think that assisted suiced should be offered to any ILL people that want it. Its not fair that whenever we think an animal-like a dog or cat- is in misery we put them to sleep, but when a person in in misery we make them live through it. I think that if that person is in too much pain and misery they should be given the choice to live through it or to be put to rest. Think: If you were in too much pain to even move- would you still want to live?

(164)
Jazmyne,
October 12, 2010 1:33 PM

Im for PAS (physician assisted suicide). Im doing a research paper on this subject and Physician assisted suicide is a compassionate way to end life. Its not like the doctors kill everyone, Just the people who ask to be put out of their misery so they can die with their dignity. Death can be a fast and suddden thing, With PAS it gives friends and family a chance to say their goodbyes. I think it should become legal for those people who want and need the option. Laws can be made so it cant be abused by anyone. Physcian assisted suicide is a compasionate thing.

(163)
Leslie,
September 8, 2010 12:36 AM

why should we be the ones to tell someone that no matter how much pain they are in they have to live with it? I have worked in a nursing home and have seen first hand what living in pain can do to them. you are in so much pain that you dont want to move and you dont eat. is that a way to die???SLOWLY wasting away while our families have to watch.
if you are in a vegitative state in the hospital and your family " pulls the plug" based on your wishes is that not suicide assisted by your family and doctor???

(162)
Anonymous,
September 5, 2010 7:13 PM

HA!

Thomas Bowden an analyst at the Ayn Rand Institute, focusing on legal issues said, “The Declaration of Independence proclaimed, for the first time in the history of nations that each person exists as an end in himself. This basic truth--which finds political expression in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--means, in practical terms, that you need no one's permission to live, and that no one may forcibly obstruct your efforts to achieve your own personal happiness. But what if happiness becomes impossible to attain? What if a dread disease, or some other calamity, drains all joy from life, leaving only misery and suffering? The right to life includes and implies the right to commit suicide. To hold otherwise--to declare that society must give you permission to kill yourself--is to contradict the right to life at its root. If you have a duty to go on living, despite your better judgment, then your life does not belong to you, and you exist by permission, not by right.”
I bet if you were in a position where you new you were gonna die and you were in unbearable pain you would want to end your life.
Also not being able to commit suicide is a violation of religious freedom, religious groups are imposing there beliefs that suicide is a sin if im an athiest , I dont really care what you think is right , its my life and if i wanna end it I should be able to.

(161)
Anonymous,
August 18, 2010 5:04 PM

dont judge

it IS NOT mine or your place to judge, i bet you anything that if you were in that situation you would be begging the doctors to get rid of your pain. and really that is very selfish of you to make someone endure hell just so that you can be happy that they are living, its THEIR choice

(160)
june,
July 20, 2010 6:10 PM

its murder of the old

(159)
agree,
June 9, 2010 12:18 PM

i belive that people should be able to choose.. if someone wants to die then they have the right to have help by a doctore to die painfully..

(158)
allthe fallen,
May 27, 2010 1:53 PM

i agree with this i could help the helpless

(157)
,
May 27, 2010 7:22 AM

In the article, “The suicide doctor” the author writes about, Dr. Jack Kwvorkian, a doctor helps terminally ill patients kill themselves. He made machine to kill people without pain by pushing a button then the carbon monoxide flows into the mask and into them bodies. The doctor has had his problems with the law especially in Michigan in 1990.
After reading the article, I feel sad and angry because I imagine that I am in the same position. When I have a disease cannot be cured, for example, cancer or AIDS, I will be patient and stick to any point of light or a ray of hope, so why the doctor makes death easier for the people? It is true that Dr. did not kill me, personally, but he gave me the option to die without pain.
I think that some doctors think that assisted suicide should be legalized. If that doctor is supposed to be a hero, he is wrong. How can he judges for someone else whether they want to be a live or not if they cannot speak? It is not true way to take away the chance to try from them whether they have 1% chance to live.
My grandfather had a cancer in the throat and then began chemotherapy for a year then the doctor said to him that he could not treatment, and he will not live as long and dies. I know he wants to die with dignity and that's his view on dignity.

(156)
Anonymous,
May 18, 2010 2:24 PM

Tom

Tom, guess what? This is a religious website!!!

(155)
Tom,
May 18, 2010 1:29 AM

Murder?

How can you possibly call doctor assisted suicide murder? And playing God? You all do understand that a cesarean section, is ALSO playing God, right? The intervening in God's process to save a childs and mothers lives in these situations. If easing someones pain involves their death, which they must whole heartedly agree to, then let that person make their own decision. Look at the laws put in place in Oregon before you bring your religious views on here and look ignorant. Ask any patient with Lou Gehrigs disease how they can't wait to live out their "life", which will involve countless trips to the hospital, millions of medications, and a timetable that will still end with their death. Instead of thinking of your grandparents when looking at this, think of yourself. Think of living with a timetable, and having to suffer through that everyday. Then choose your stance on this issue, instead of hoping on a side based on your religious beliefs. Have a good day.

(154)
Annie,
May 17, 2010 3:25 PM

Doctor-assisted suicide

This is man's way of circumventing God's will. My own husband died of lung cancer. He did not suffer in awful pain because there were medications that brought pain under control. Doctors who refuse to administer those medications, but condone assisted suicide, should lose their license to practice. To say dying via suicide is noble and gracious is another politically correct lie. We are not God. Today someone purposefully loses his or her life because of an illness; tomorrow a cure is found. Please remember we do not know the future so let us not act as though we do.
As for a person virtually deceased, but the body is "functioning" only because of technology, that is not life, rather a cruel charade.
Ms.Chiavo was not not virtually deceased; she slept, she awakened; she blinked her eyes. She is an example we should never forget.

(153)
Iris,
May 17, 2010 2:56 PM

Assisted Suicide can be a real blessing

In 1994, a dear friend had had enough of the ravages of diabetes. He became diabetic as a child at age 8. Had a kidney transplant at age 18. Over the years, despite doing what was necessary, watching his diet, getting exercise, watchful medical care, the diabetes got the best of him. He began losing first a toe, then a foot on one side, then the other. Before long, he had both legs amputated above the knee. It was only after he was completely blind and had his arm amputated, and he was told that he had to have the other arm amputated that he refused any further dialysis and medical treatment. The doctors did not want to abide by his choice because it meant certain death and they did not want to be responsible for his dying due to neglect. His wife had to intercede through the courts to stop his medical care - HIS WISH. Why should it have come to that? He died 3 days later.
A few years after he died, his wife confided that he often wanted his life to be over sooner, but she urged him to keep fighting with each amputation and medical crisis. She said she wishes she listened to him and did not urge him to fight. She realized that she was selfish and her selfishness caused him to endure the last few years in pain and hopelessness. She adamantly believes that assisted suicide should be legal and regrets that it was not legal when her husband could have benefitted from it.
Mental pain is as real as physical pain. It should not be dismissed as merely depression. Suicide is not the cowards way out. It should be an option to the person who desires it.

(152)
Iris,
May 17, 2010 2:45 PM

Assisted Suicide SHOULD BE LEGAL

I firmly believe that assisted suicide be legal. No one should be denied that option to end a life of excruciating pain.
My dear mother had Parkinson's Disease for over 30 years. Medicines had very little effectiveness in her final years. She was given compassionate care until the end, but SHE did not want to continue. She had lost her ability to swallow. Her own saliva was a perilous threat to her life, which eventually killed her, from aspiration pneumonia. Many times she wished she could die. When she said that, my father would cry and beg her to hold on for him, that he needed her. It was selfish of my father to do so. It was a burden to her. She was burdened of continuing to live a life she no longer wanted and lived in physical and mental pain.
After he died in January, she told me that she was going to die 5 days after Fathers Day (in June). The day after Father's Day, I got a call from her doctor, that she had another bout of pneumonia, that he did not think she would live more than 4 or 5 days. I told him about her prediction of dying 5 days after Father's Day, that she told me that EVERY TIME I saw her (2 times a week for over 5 months!). She died 2 weeks after Father's Day.
The point is, SHE did not want to live any longer. Because of her illness, she could not feed herself, roll over in bed, or control her environment in anyway. Add to that the pain associated with the illness. She told me MANY times she wished it was legal to have someone assist her in ending her life. She was not physically capable of doing it herself. Why should she be denied that? It is a crime that she could not get the relief she wanted and deserved.
Money was never an issue. Being forced to endure her final years in physical and emotional pain is not fair nor right. Mind you, she was NOT a depressed person. She did enjoy the people around her. She did not enjoy living with the illness that was never going to have a good outcome.

(151)
Anonymous,
May 15, 2010 12:52 AM

health care bill Assisted Suicide is murder

you can not do this is wrong and we know it so stop it

(150)
holly,
May 13, 2010 7:15 PM

umm

i have no idea what i believe and im doing a school project on physician assisted suicide

(149)
Anonymous,
May 11, 2010 5:22 PM

no matter what

no matter the situation its never okay. you have to think, where do you end, when you start. if we begin to take the life's of the terminally ill, or mentally ill (capitol punishment) do we do it to the people without healthcare who cant afford it? what about anyone who feels depressed, those suicidal teens who cut their wrists? or do we help them and pray for recovery. abortion should be considered euthanasia too, except worse because they dont even have a chance to live a second out of their mothers wombs and into her arms. even if they're gonna turn out with mental retardation, they can still be happy with family. if they're only gonna live a month, so be it. a month in a familys loving, comforting arms is better than a week in the womb, without a chance. NO MATTER WHAT TAKING A LIFE AWAY IS NOT OKAY!!!

(148)
leah,
May 11, 2010 12:38 AM

sick murder

i think that doctor assisted suicide is murder in a horrible way. it is as much murder as the eskimos abandoning the elderly to die on the ice. god gave us life, and only he has the right to take it away.

(147)
Anonymous,
May 8, 2010 4:46 PM

Example of #140 comment

The 2006 movie "Two Weeks" gives the example when morphine in applied to ease the pain of the dying person. The movie was based off of the producers mother when she was dying. I wouldn't call this a type of doctor assisted suicide. The patient is eased of their pain, who is dying. Most people don't want to talk about death, the real thing. Or face the reality of it's something that everyone will go through themselves, and will experience loved ones going through it. The movie wasn't a box office hit, because people would rather not face the facts about death. Or watch a movie that is so real to life. (& death) It gives the example of dying with dignity, not suffering beyond what a person can bare. Many commentaries here are for doctor assisted suicide, do they want to die themselves? So they want to help other people to die? Do they believe by having doctor assisted suicide be a norm, an acceptable procedure; it relieves them of their guilt? They see nothing in this life worth living for. A sad state most people view life as. Should we be kept alive by machines when otherwise we would pass? That's an individuals decision. Most patient's choose not to. Unless there is hope to get better, to be cured, to be able to live without the machines that is keeping the body alive. To pull a plug, is not doctor assisted suicide, it's the machine that is making the body function. To starve someone to death is cruel, when all of us, it takes food and water to survive. Each day we are alive, is another day we can do mitzvahs, even if it is in our souls. Another day to fulfill the purpose of our lives on this earth. Another day to make a difference in the lives around us. Another day to say "thank you" or "I'm sorry" For when you see a person that has passed, they are no longer in that body. They are gone, where have they gone to? One fact we know, they are no longer on this earth.

(146)
Anonymous,
May 5, 2010 11:49 PM

Human

We peacfully put horrible criminals to sleep by lethal injection(is that not murder than?) we allow families to take their loved ones off feeding tubes and other machines and slowly die that way (is that not murder than?) we put our poor family pets down when they are suffering, so I cannot understand anyone who does not believe in letting each individual (whom is terminally ill or in extreme pain and suffering with no medical hope of change) must be able to decide for themselves when they have had enough. Anyone whom does not believe this just tells me that those people are not HUMAN AT ALL!!

(145)
katie,
April 28, 2010 6:27 PM

THIS IS FINE

k. i'm only 14, but i think that doctor assisted suicide is perfectly fine. obviously, its easy to say its bad when YOUR NOT THE ONE IN THE CONDITION but if you ever are, you're opinion will change. if you are ill, and you dont want to live with the pain anymore, then i think that you can choose if you want to die.

(144)
Anonymous,
April 27, 2010 6:43 PM

Suicide is forbidden by the Torah and punished severly

I agree with doc303: Suicide is murder, and according to the Torah, one who commits suicide goes straight to Hell with no chance of reprieve. As for Laurie, who said : "I don't think god would want someone to suffer, he just cannot control everything": that is completely against the Torah belief! We believe that every second of suffering is planned by G-d and important for the person's spiritual well-being (including, according to the Talmud, sticking your hand into your pocket for a quarter and pulling out a nickel instead). The goal of everything in this world is to get to the next, and "one second of Hell is much worse than all the sufferings of Job" (if you don't know what he went through, read the Book of Job. He lost all of his family: wife, children, etc, as well as all of his wealth, and he was suffering from an excrutaitingly painful illness--and he still did not want to die!).

(143)
Laurie,
April 13, 2010 4:35 PM

I think we should have the right to say "enough is enough", if you have not suffered you have no idea how hard it is. Not a few weeks or months, but years. Some diseases have no cure and the medications and what it does to your life can sometimes be unbearable. I think it is up to the individual, if that person can say so than so be it. I do believe that a person has that right, if they cannot talk, than it should not be up to someone to do it for them unless they are competent enough to understand that the end is near. Life is precious, you have to hang onto it because the next day could be spectacular. Look at the brighter things, things that can bring you joy..if you are bedridden, have someone you love or a caregiver take you outside to see a beautiful day, it is those moments that can give you peace. People should not judge too harshly the ill. Until you can walk in a persons shoes.
I know that if you are religious that you believe it is up to god to bring you home. I don't think god would want someone to suffer, he just cannot control everything..I think you can still have faith and still want peace. Judge not so that ye will not be judged.

(142)
Anonymous,
April 12, 2010 8:22 PM

dissagree with Kavorkian's sentence

I do believe that what he did is wrong but i don't believe he should have gone to prison for it. if you do further research on the subject he had strict guidelines on the fact that the person HAS to be terminal in not just his mind but in 4 other doctor's eyes plus the potential family HAS to sign saying that it is ok for it to happen, what he did was not a crime. how can it be a crime without there being a law against it? seriously i think what he did was good for the people. if i would have known about it i would have written him about my grandmother that was in the hospital for 12 years with 6 different types of cancer. she wanted to be out of the missery so why should she be forced to stay in pain.

(141)
Anonymous,
April 7, 2010 2:18 AM

RE: WOW

And what if were not religious? cant put god in every situation if u dont believe in it :X just sayin. anyways, i believe in Euthenasia, as long as the patient is terminally
ill and doesnt have a way to recover, if they choose to go, they should be given that right. But only from Terminal illness, if your just depressed and cant get over something, thats what Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Therapists, Family, Friends, are there for, reason they have a career.

(140)
Anonymous,
April 7, 2010 1:54 AM

Assisted suicide

Did you know that this is actual common practice? People are given larger amounts of meds e.g. morphine to help to ease the process of death. These people are overdosed on purpose. It helps them die. I was in the medical field for 14yrs. So when someone is starting to pass, there is pretty good chance that the patient has signed a DNR and have comfort measures only. Very few people want to be.

(139)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2010 4:28 AM

Learn from Morrie.

We just read the article what the Talmud says. Look how many people disagree with it. In the Netherlands anyone can have doctor assisted suicide 16yrs up, under 16 with a parents permission. You do not have to be sick either. I asked some co-workers what they thought about this topic, some was all for it, people have their rights. Others saw suicide wrong, even if a doctor assisted it. I brought up many people commit suicide all the time, it doesn't have to be legal or doctor assisted. I had an uncle that killed himself after 20 yrs of cancer, remission, the 3rd time it came back, he ended his life. They got quiet. Because it is one thing to say "legalize it", it's another thing when it has happened in your family. It is worse to take anothers life, than your own. It is worse to kill someone spiritually then to kill yourself. Look how many people after popping pills call for help and they pump their stomach and they live. When the doctor assist you in suicide, there is no turning back if you change your mind. Doctor assisted suicide is not the same thing when you have a living will that you do not want to be kept alive by machines, this does not include a feeding tube. So when I answer what I think, I will say what is best and right for me. It would be the morphine way, and I thought that before reading this article and what the Jewish perspective was or what the Talmud said, I already thought that way, for myself. And for others who think this way also, the book Tuesdays with Morrie is an excellent book about the dying process and what one can learn through it. The author is Jewish. I hope those who are for doctor assisted suicide is not Jewish, because it is not the Jewish way, as this article has informed us. Do I understand now that my non-Jewish uncle didn't want to fight the fight anymore? Yes, but when a family member gives up, and not a natural death, it is so hard on the family, so very hard!

(138)
joe,
March 10, 2010 3:23 PM

WOW

"Why look for expensive cures for cancer when you can put the patient out of his misery for much less money?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME WOULD U SAY THAT TO YOUR OWN KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(137)
christopher bates,
March 6, 2010 8:07 PM

I dont agree with sucide.

i dont agree with sucide in any form our body belongs to the one who cerated us (not our parents) we have a spirit inside of us which reflect's who we are in the after life. so it basicly boil's down to if you even belive in god or not if you do and you commite sucide then you'r going to burn forever!

(136)
Anonymous,
March 6, 2010 5:35 PM

Doctor assisted suicide should only be done if the patient is terminally ill and asks for it or has it in their will. They have the right to make that choice. If they feel that they honestly cannot go any longer, that the pain is too much, then shouldnt they die peacefully and as painlessly as possible? Haven't they gone through enough pain already? A doctor can give them medication that will painlessly kill them. it will put them to sleep and they will just never wake up.

(135)
Adler39,
March 2, 2010 7:18 PM

WOW

you all are wrong it shouldnt be legalized becasue if god wanted you to die at a certin time then you should wait until god says so

(134)
Anonymous,
March 1, 2010 2:12 AM

this is rediculous!!

there was a part in this paper comparing money to a life. that makes me sick!!! asissted suicides fine with me to a certain point. when ending a persons life beause it would be chaper becomes an opiton to the famiy...well maybe th situation should be tured around and see how much you like your family letting a doctor kill you!!!!

(133)
kota,
January 22, 2010 6:37 PM

ive recently lost my grandma to cancer they didnt do assisted suicide they put her in to hospis were she later passed away that following week. they said she passed with out any pain but she suffered for to long. i wouldn't have been a happy camper if they just killed her. but she would be out of her misery faster and wouldnt of had to deal with everything.

(132)
John117,
January 1, 2010 4:14 AM

Who are these people?

Are these just random people offing their opinions or are these the people seeking the assistance or know of someone thinking about this as an option?

(131)
Anonymous,
December 29, 2009 6:48 AM

I think it should be legalized BUT with heavy heavy scrutiny. It should only be for that cancer patient who is going to die without a doubt, in the next month or so. Or people with diseases like ASL, such as Sue rodriguez.
Also the arrangement should be made with the patient, only while they are in good mental health, and have the ability to communicate their wishes beyond doubt.

(130)
Mark Jarmuth,
December 16, 2009 10:11 PM

The fact pattern involving Miller is not typicaly for Kevorkian "patients."

Keir Miller was not terminally ill. MS patients aren't terminal. Janet Adkins, one of Kevorkian's first patients, had MS and could have lived for years had he not intervened. Also had Miller had a psychiatric evaluation before Kevorkian helped her take her life? And who actually wrote the letter. I doubt Miller alone wrote it given the propaganda value it had for the Right to Die Movement. We always here of people experiencing unbearable pain before taking their lives with a physician's assistance. But this will be the exception rather than the rule. Assisted suicide laws will not be used to alleviate unbearable pain, but instead be rigorously applied to the most expensive to care for by bureaucrats wary of rising health care costs. Wherever you see big health care bureaucracies you hear calls to legalize assisted suicide. Is this just a coincidence, or does one inevitably lead to the other? Does assisted suicide help keep a health care bureaucracy otherwise saddled with excessive cost overruns solvent?

(129)
Mark Jarmuth,
December 11, 2009 9:54 PM

Doctor-assisted suicide laws legalize euthanasia because any law permitting assisted suicide and not allowing those who can't take their own lives to be euthanized would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. If the person is severely disabled, comatose or semi-conscious, someone must decide for them whether they should continue living or have a doctor end their lives. Thus the author's notion that people who die with a physicians assistance want to die is incorrect. Often it is impossible to discern their true intentions regarding life and death decisions because they are too disabled to coherently express their intentions. Further, the true purpose of assisted-suicide laws is not death with dignity, but to control rising health care costs.
I've written an article on this subject published on the Social Science Research Network titled Doctor-Assisted Suicide: Death with Dignity or a Control on Rising Health Care costs. I've also published a book dealing with issues like this one available at createspace.com/3364207.
Mark Jarmuth
jarmuth@hotmail.com

(128)
mandy,
November 17, 2009 2:31 PM

wow

i think it should be legalized. i am doing a report on this and i think its the person's choice if they want to live on suffering or not

(127)
Anonymous,
November 13, 2009 2:08 AM

there are cases that people can't use pain relievers like morphine because it causes side effects.... I don't believe the availability of pain relievers should be a variable in this argument

(126)
Anonymous,
October 26, 2009 3:13 PM

I think it is a good idea,because it puts the patients out of miseary snd pain. It also saves money on medicine and hospital visits.

(125)
udontknowme,
October 15, 2009 9:27 PM

it's up to the patient's choice

Even if doctor-assisted suicide is taking away someone else's life, it is done because the individual desires to "die".... what is to be better, keep saving them from death, make them suffer the pain and postpone their inevitable death?, or face the reality and give supports to what the dying patient desires to do?
My actual point is that patients should be responsible whether to choose euthanasia or not... but in order to have those choices, it is necessary to legalize doctor-assisted suicide....

(124)
Anonymous,
October 14, 2009 9:50 PM

suicide sould be illegal option

doctors who tried to end other peoples lives are such idiots. go read the bible carefully.

(123)
McKenna,
October 8, 2009 2:32 PM

Destini, I agree!

I am doing a debate on this topic, and I agree. It is murder no matter what you try to say, you are taking their life.

(122)
Anonymous,
September 29, 2009 9:03 PM

doctor assisted suicide can be both wrong and right

doctor assisted suicide can be wrong or right depending on the state of mind the victim is in. If someone is healthy and in a good state of mind and they choose a(n) assisted death then it should be illegal, but if the person is suffering and in pain then the act should not be illegal....the act should be justified b/c the person is in choice whether or not they want to continue living. the only thing that should stop the doctor from the act is if the person actually has a want or need to live...if they are in pain i would rather someone die peacefully rather than painfully and harshly.....it may be difficult for the family but what death isn't? the doctor has every right to fullfill a persons wants.....

(121)
Anonymous,
September 25, 2009 4:33 AM

doctor assisted sucide is right under some conditions. if your family doesn't want you to live like this then yes it's okay but if the doctor just assumes you don't want to live and kills you its not fair. just becasue you don't have a voice doesn't mean you don't have a thought or opinion. if you can't express how you want to die the doctor can't kill you.

(120)
shelly,
July 23, 2009 11:45 AM

This is a decision that is made by the terminally ill, NOT something that is forced on them. It should be up to them, its their life.

(119)
Anonymous,
May 25, 2009 10:39 PM

get it together

Euthanasia is not murder. The purpose of Euthanasia is to help people, not to kill people randomly. If you can put a dog to sleep then why not a human? What's the difference? This isn't murder, murder is to kill or slaughter inhumanly or barbarously. If the person is in excrutiating pain, if life has no value for them, then this SHOULD be an option. The doctors cannot deny the patient the right to make their own decision.

(118)
Destini,
May 5, 2009 10:27 AM

Are you people crazy?

I am also 16, and after looking at all these crazy comments I wish my english teacher did not give me "doctor assisted suicide" as a research topic. This should not be legal. This is murder, in any way you look at it.

(117)
Amber,
May 1, 2009 10:20 AM

Two paths- one way to go.

Suicide or no suicide, your choice, you have two paths a head of you to take, but take the right one, don't do something stupid.

(116)
Brogan,
April 30, 2009 12:01 PM

....

I think that while suicide is all wrong...This may be okay...I know i sound suicidal but yet if you are very sick for multiple months maybe even years then i guess its okay...I mean like if you're in pain do you want to suffer?Think about all the people and if they're really unhappy with whee they are then i think it's okay...it all depends on them...

(115)
austin l.,
April 16, 2009 1:10 PM

support, what you want

ok look, if your family truley loves you then they should respect support your decisions. they shouldn't try to pressure you into doing something that you dont want to do. if you dont want to live any more then dont let peolpe tell you that you NEED to live. to me that seems selfish. you need to think about what the person in the situation wants and respact that decision. imagine if you were in excruciating pain and it hurt to move, talk, lay in the bed that you've been for years. looking at the same walls for years, eating out of the same tube for years, when they change your diper that you've been for hours, it feels like every part of you is burning, i.v.'s in your arm 24/7, hooked up to an oxygen tank 24/7, and people come in to visit less and less. imagine if that was you... would you want to be alive??? think about this and honestly ask yourself if you would want to live in a place possition worse than any jail cell...

I believe that if you are diagnosed with some sort of terminal illness or even if you just want to die, you should be able to die, with or with out your doctors aid. Now, I'm only 12 years old but, I have opinions too. I am writing a contriversal essay. I decided on Docter Assissted Suicide because almost every one I know is completely against any form of suicide. I dont really have any experiences with a family member with a terminal disease but, I still think that if you are in severe pain and you're going to die in a few months or less and you dont want to go through the pain, you should have the choice to ask your doctor to help put an end to your misery. I agree with that James guy. He made comment 109. We should have the choice to continue life or end it.

(113)
andrea,
March 6, 2009 12:48 PM

I'm 16, Here's My Opinion

You might not think I know much about this topic considering I am 16 years old.
I do believe in physician assisted suicide as long as the person is terminally ill and incurable. I am doing a research paper on euthanasia and I am very excited to have been granted this topic.
My great grandmother suffered very much of MS. She did not want to live, obviously. Would any of you want to live if it was you who were going to die in a matter of weeks or months?
Of course assisted suicide to someone who is copping out of life and is perfectly healthy is COMPLETELY wrong, and I'm not supporting that by any means.
We should legalize doctor assisted suicide because people suffer and people want to die a peaceful death, with dignity and no pain. That's their choice, their wishes. Can't we grant them?
Sure, the greedy government will lose money from bills and treatments and prescription! So what? Isn't it better to be humane than to be selfish?
Religion is not something to bring into this topic. This is STRICTLY a topic where you need to think of whats right. Not of sin, not of God, but what suffering people want most - a peaceful death and much more important is that they decide for themselves.
We put animals 'down'. They suffer. They are in pain. But we can't help a HUMAN BEING? What's that deal?
And why can someone who is completely unconscious and unaware have their life support turned off and have no say, to which a person AWARE and CONSCIOUS who is suffering and in pain wants so much to die peacefully with their consent and wish but can't because its illegal. What's up with that?
I'm young. I'm mature for my age. I bet you don't even believe I'm 16. But I am. I know what I want. I know what I believe.
This topic deserves MUCH consideration and physician assisted suicide should be LEGALIZED.

(112)
Anonymous,
March 2, 2009 10:49 AM

ITS YOUR CHOICE NO ONE ELSES

I believe it is your right to beable to die with dignity.I would feel alot better growing old if I knew I had that choice.I don't want to suffer!!

(111)
Anonymous,
February 16, 2009 1:00 PM

Why shouldn't this be legal?

Why shouldn't Doctor assisted suicide be leagal? It is the persons choice and in many states, they only allow the terminally ill, the elderly, and those who are in a lot of pain commit this type of suicide. If you have seen "Harold and Maud", then you might agree with me. Maud is a 79 year old woman who 18 year old Harold falls in love with. In the end, Maude commits suicide with a pill a doctor told her to take. Harold was sad, but from Maude's death, he leaned that you need to live life to the fullest and to make your own choices. I think it should be legal becuase if this person can not walk, talk, see, or hear and they are very miserable, why should anybody stop them from killing themselves? That would bug ME if somebody tried to stop me from commitng suicide if there was really nothing to live for.

(110)
doc303,
February 11, 2009 5:35 AM

suicide is painless - on earth, but later?

As I write this, my 93 yr old Mom is awaiting her death, as patiently as possible. She has no appetite - weighing 85 lbs. She knows that suicide is murder in God's eyes and forgivable if given the time to ask. That time frame is questionable - is it worth the risk? Unforgiven murders go to Hell - period. She has her eyes on heaven, a Sadducee she is not.
Her wisdom is communicated to all who will listen, justifying each day she remains in this body.

(109)
James,
January 20, 2009 10:43 PM

This decision should be up to the states or the individual. As the 10th Amendment of the Constitution states, all the rights not stated in the Constitution are reserved to the individuals or states. The rights reserved to us generally are reffered to as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. These are rights, we do not need to accept them or use them. However, Death With Dignity will give people who do not want their right to life anymore the choice to have their life taken away legally and safely.

(108)
Anonymous,
January 14, 2009 1:51 PM

What are your people's problems?

I personally believe that if someone is in a vegetable state that they need to die. Why keep them alive for what? Absolutely nothing at all. Second of all, this is wasting money and recources

(107)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2009 5:16 PM

Its not right but its their choice

I dont think it should be permitted in any part of the world because when god wants them to go he will do it.But that person feels that they can deal with it and they want to end their life then i believe thats their choice, I mean it is their life so let them. But if the doctor says i cant take it to see this person in pain and decides to do it on their own then thats wrong.PATIENT AND FAMILY SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO MAKE THAT DECISION!!!!!!!

(106)
TYLER,
December 15, 2008 6:48 PM

of course

I believe Dr. assisted suicide is a humane thing to do. I personally would not like to see a loved one in unbearable pain. I will have it written in my will that if I am surviving from machines after 3 months I wish to be put to sleep.
My cat was 20 years old and his liver got to small. He was not able to digest properly and could not go #2. He was in unbearable pain so we put him to sleep. I think the same should be done to a human.

(105)
maven fulton,
November 18, 2008 12:58 PM

I SAY ITS MURDER!!!!

GET REAL PEOPLE IF AND ELDERLY PERSON ASKS U TO KILL THEM, YOUD DO IT? seriously most of these people who are asking for this are elderly they probably dont even know the difference between life and death, much less whether they want a "doctor" ,IF thats what you want to call this satin typeperson, to kill them. Im a teenager and im sick of hearing people say how bad we are going to make the world and how much of a digrace we are. When im reading this, and tearing up while listening to you people being persuaded by MURDERERS with fancy names for their killing. Just because their called doctors, and the went to med school does NOT mean that they really are always right and im sorry if ive offended you but that is my thought of the matter. this isnt right. It isnt our place to take gods creatures that he worked so hard to make off of this world. PLEASE PEOPLE THINK BEFORE YOU SAY!!!THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!!

(104)
anonymus,
November 13, 2008 3:33 AM

My votes in

There are too many uneducated people out there with only hopes for recovery for there loved one.If someone is diagnosed with severe brain damage with no chances for recovery why would you want them to lye in a bed day in and day out suffering? Thats inhumane and cruel, we dont even do that to animals if an animal is hurt severley we put them to sleep. So whats the difference for a human life?

(103)
Anonymous,
November 10, 2008 10:24 AM

I say why not--but there have to be special circumstances.

If there is a possible treatment or experimental treatment then i say doctor assisted suicied is unnesisary but if there is absolutley no hope and the pacient has indeed asked for euthanasia more twice fifteen days apart then in that case it is the only humane thing to do.

(102)
Lee,
April 4, 2008 11:58 AM

Euthanasia & Doctor-assisted suicide not the same

Please, do not get the two confused; euthanasia is not the same as doctor-assisted suicide. Euthanasia: the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is "intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia). This can be done at any time as long as the patient or family member or someone granted temporary power of attourney requests it; only done if the person is incompetent (can't make the decision on their own for some reason or another). On the other hand, Physician-assisted suicide: The voluntary termination of one's own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. Physician-assisted suicide is the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life. If anyone decides to "force grandma or grandpa to have it done" then that's murder and once found out (and they will be found out) they will be facing some jail time.

(101)
XparadoX IRL,
March 17, 2008 6:08 PM

In response to Kathryn

I agree with you in the sense that no one has the right to take away the right for someone who is in a critical state to try for life. Yet it's been made quite clear her fight for life, and you acknowledge that and respond accordingly; therefore is it not justified for the same common decency to be extended upon someone who chooses to die? I feel the answer is yes, euthanasia isn't "ooh lets pop off the unlucky ones as soon as symptoms start to develope" but more the ability and security in the knowledge for that person, that they are able to end their suffering should they really hit rock bottom.

(100)
Rin,
March 5, 2008 12:31 PM

It's mercy

If you really think about it, assissted suicide isn't murder, it's a way to help people who would suffer any other way. Say if the patient had terminal cancer and was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, which left all the hospitals in the area without power. Would you, as a doctor, be able to sit back and watch your patient suffer such a painful, angonizing, and cruel death? Assissted suicide has been helping those who would eventually die, yes, but this way it's less painful for the patient when they die. And, to be completely honest, I don't think any sane human would allow another human being - possibly your own bethren - to die such an agonizing death. It's mercy...to say the least.

(99)
Shelby,
February 15, 2008 2:12 PM

Why would you want someone you love so dearly, that has a terminall illness and is going to die in six months or less to live and be in that kind of pain? If they want to die then it should be there choice not ours. If we do not allow them that choice basically were telling them that, "No, you can not do that because we'll miss you to much and we do not care about the pain your in." Is that the messsage that you want to send to your loved ones? I know thats not what I would want to be said to them.

(98)
clarence,
December 5, 2007 12:33 AM

YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND........

I am 40yrs old and have been an athlete all my life. I have been a player, not a watcher, whether it be martial arts, football, baseball, wrestling, and so forth. You get the gist of it. When I was 23, I was injured from head to toe. Broken bones, stitches, sprains, etc., are nothing, compared to the pain I live daily.I only hope they pass a bill for people that want to die. I have been living like this for almost twenty years and it is old. I mean, very old. Through the years, I have tried and tried, to do things I used to. Even to go to family functions is too much.I hurt so bad, I break out in a sweat and cannot move, then say to myself, "why the hell did I even come?". I have been through, "oh come on, have a few beers, that will help" and so on. NOTHING WORKS!!!! I have been on Oxycontin, morphine, methadone, etc. and nothing helps. It takes the edge off, but that is not a life. I want to die and if someone helps me do it, they are going to jail.NOT FAIR.I hope you people out there, that are saying, "cancer pain is the worst there is" don't know jack. ASSISTED is ethical and only after research on the patient shows it is not a spur of the moment "tantrum" that has lead them to this. I would not wish my pain on anyone, but I would love to give it to many, for only a week. There is no doubt they would say, "my God, how did you manage to put up with it for almost twenty years". GUARANTEED.

(97)
brit,
November 28, 2007 11:57 AM

I think that it should definitely be legalized because i think the only person who can decide if they want to die is the person with the illness and if they want to die instead of suffering in a hospital bed and creating tons of hospital bills for their last days of life then they should be able to.

(96)
Anonymous,
November 20, 2007 9:17 AM

The Suicide Machine

If Dr. Kevorkian believes so firmly that his rampage to allow physician assisted suicide is ethical, why did he invent a machine to provide the lethal injection? If he believes so firmly in the cause and that it is the right thing to do , why does he get a machine to do the dirty work for him... IF it is not murder, why is he afraid to use his own hands?

(95)
Seth,
November 19, 2007 1:02 PM

I think that an individual has the right to choose whether they _need_ to die or not. It's a personal decision. If I had a disease that I knew would kill me, and the only question was how long I would be in pain before then, and I had nothing left to live for, I would hope that someone would at least give me the option. (This is coming from a 14 year old liberal. Just my opinion.)

(94)
ALyssa,
November 16, 2007 12:14 PM

it has its pros and cons but why would you want to shorten ur time w/ your loved ones.

(93)
karina,
November 14, 2007 8:51 AM

if it is you? think about it.

what if you were in thier shoes? say you had an illness no one could find a cure for and day after day all you felt was horrible pain you would see no happyness your hope would die and so would part of you inside maybe you would want to live if you could deal with the pain but what if you couldnt handle it you would want out of your misery wouldnt you or do you want to suffer until your illness kills you? think about it. i would want to die if it is me and i'm only 16 i dont want to live my life dead inside waiting for an illness to kill me.

(92)
Ashley,
October 11, 2007 11:58 AM

i think it is murder. That doctor doesn't care about your health

(91)
Sharon,
October 4, 2007 12:26 PM

I watched my father-in-law suffer for five years with lymphoma. He fought the good fight "for Us" not for himself. He was an amazing wonderful man who touched my life and my heart. I know without a doubt through many late night conversations with him that if given the option to end it earlier rather than suffer so badly in his last year with us, he would have taken the opportunity with gratitude. His last year with his family was ridden with pain and suffering and treatments and his quality of life was poor. His family could not even see him for several months due to a bone marrow transplant in hopes to cure him. Cgnitive adults who are facing these situations should have the right to do with their bodies what they want! Isn't that what the world"s argument about abortion is?

(90)
wil,
September 26, 2007 11:59 PM

assisted suicide

I strongly agree that a person has the right to end their life with dignity if faced with a serious illness or disability. No one else should have the right to be self-rightous and demand that someone's pain, suffering and missery be prolonged while others prod them with a stick etc.. while touting themselves as "hollier than thou" whilst themselves enjoying a priveledged existance, sleeping in a comfortable bed without diapers etc..have a heart!

(89)
Mike Kelly,
August 28, 2007 8:57 AM

Everyone should have the freedom to choose

I sincerely believe it is my human right to end my own life - she I be capable or not. What right does anyone else have to dictate misery, pain and unhappiness onto another sane human. There are too may people willing subject their ideas onto the free.

(88)
Anonymous,
June 8, 2007 4:59 PM

patient's choice

I think that it should be left up to the patient and their family. If someone is in misery, why keep them there?

(87)
dexter,
June 4, 2007 12:22 PM

never to be right

suicide is still murder. you murdered yourself. never use the word doctor in any form of death. doctors should cure people or at least even temporarily promote a person's health. doctor-assisted? oh cmon. you're staining the white lab gown of a noble profession.

(86)
becca,
May 23, 2007 1:15 PM

hmm

it's really not the doctors fault. we keep saying how doctors kill people, but they don't. it's doctor-assisted SUICIDE. not murder. the doctor talks to the patient, and disscusses alternative ways of dealing with the illness. the patient is never considered unless 1) he/she is TERMANALLY ill. with no hope of survival at all. and 2) is in full consent and has talked and thought it over for quite some time. people don't just say "hey i would like to kill myself now" and then a split second later they have a gun to their head. suicide is well thought-out and carefully executed. so if the patient really wants to die, let him/her. it's their life. we, or anyone else, should be allowed to tell them they can't end it.

(85)
anne,
May 10, 2007 11:09 AM

a confusing matter

im a grade 11 student who has to do an essay on doctor assisted suicide. Before I came to this site I first thought it was a resonable law to pass. Wouldn't you want to die with dignity while you still could? What if you were put into that situation? Now that I really think about it, it contains flaws. I still believe that we should have the right to decide to die or not, so im not for or against doctor assisted suicide, I guess it depends on the situation. For example Sue Rodregez, she wanted the choice to die and fought for it, but was denied even though she knew what she was doing by wanting to die. But if there was no cure for your disease would you still want to live not being able to do anything normal every again? Think about it.

(84)
Dustin Myers,
April 25, 2007 9:56 AM

This is my opion on it all

well a few years ago my stepfather died of a very painful cancer and at the end he coulndt walk he could'nt feed himself he was ina hospital bed permitatly and he had to wear diapers and i just believe that if he had the chance to speak up he would have wanted to ended it all(hope im not bein harsh) it was really hard on my mom seein the live of her life suffering because of the cancer an he was suffering at the end i just believe that it should be an option for some people and that it could really help some of the pople that are suffering and that is my opion as we are are entittled to one

(83)
Mitch,
April 18, 2007 1:32 PM

I think people need to learn correct grammar before getting on here to write comments.

Anyways I feel that more research needs to be done for me to take a side. In regards to Kirai's comment, In most circumstances, the patient is able to make their own decision without being affected by drugs or being old. Such as a terminally ill cancer patient or somebody that has some kind of terminally ill disease but can still use their brain properly. And I strongly disagree with you saying that doctors would not work as hard. That is crap. A doctor is going to do his job to the best of his ability. He is not going to be like, well I'm sorry, but hey there is always doctor-assisted suicide. There might be one out of a million doctors who would think like that. In some cases I feel that if the doctor won't kill the person when asked to, the person is just going to do it anyway.

(82)
Mitch,
April 18, 2007 1:32 PM

The topic at hand is not whether one should have the authority to take another's life. A lot of people on here are upset and think that if the person is unconscious, then a person shouldn't make the decision for them. That is not what is going on. The patient is personally requesting this doctor-assisted suicide. Other people are not making the decision for the terminally ill person. And those who say that the doctor is just taking the easy way out and doesn't want to take care of that person are completely wrong. The doctors realize that if they don't have patients to take care of then they don't have work. Why would a doctor want to throw away his means of income. I would think the doctor would want the patient as long as possible so he makes more money, also taking into consideration what is best for the patient. Some people should actually think before they post. It sounds like many people on here think that doctors are evil people that are out to get you, when all they really want to do is help.

(81)
Kirai,
April 5, 2007 3:23 PM

Patients are often senile, confused, delirious or otherwise unable to make good decisions regarding their health.

Basically, I think assistsed suicide is wrong because patients can not make the right decisions in a lot of circumstances, such as: a) they are under too many medications that make them "loopy" and make them say strange things and act oddlyb) they are old or senile, and unable to display proper judgement. Also, if we make assisted suicide legal, it will probably make doctors and physicians work less hard because they know if they fail to save the person, they can always convince the patient there is nothing more they can do for them and that death is the only option (as a last resort).

(80)
Roxanne,
March 23, 2007 8:39 AM

I believe assisted suicide is wrong. For many reasons

In my personal opinion i believe god brought us in this world to live and when it comes down to dying I believe god intended us to die naturally we are supposed to suffer. This death is very unatural. According to the bible suicide is a sin. It is nothing god intended us to do.

(79)
Rio Shipley,
March 19, 2007 1:26 PM

I don't get why people would even try to help someone kill themselfs because they could consider it "MURDER"! but nobady get sit, they think that if they do help them it will be set aside and not counted as murder. But it is! If people want to kill themselfs they shouldn't ask someone else because they are in danger of a murder case. i am not encouraging them to kill themselfs but they still shouldn't ask anyone else to do it for them!!!!

(78)
Sophie,
March 19, 2007 6:35 AM

Hey, Anita- Kevorkian was arrested, in fact he's still in jail. Research a little before you make statements online.

(77)
Anonymous,
March 15, 2007 1:57 PM

very helpful to my paper...

(76)
kiah,
March 8, 2007 10:24 AM

this page just helped me a lot with my research....thankx

(75)
chris,
February 12, 2007 1:21 PM

thank you a lot this really is going to help me on my research paper

(74)
monga,
February 9, 2007 10:00 AM

hola

very helpful to a paper yes...

(73)
kitty,
January 23, 2007 12:51 PM

i think you should be able to end your life early if you know it is going to come soon, my grandfather spent a great deal of time in the hospital before he died and it tore my grandmother up to have to put him on life support and then for the family to decide to take him off of it because of how much he was hurting despite the amount of morphine they were giving to him. The entire family felt so much guilt when he died because we took him off of the life support and he died because of it. i think that if the patient decides that they want to do it then it should be a possibility. we never would have ever mentioned it in any way because we really did want him to stay with us as long as possible but we didnt think it was right for him to continue to suffer just for us and he shouldnt have to suffer becuase he didnt have any other choice.

(72)
Jennifer,
January 9, 2007 10:08 PM

Assisted "suicide" vs. Abortion

My mother has MS and my Uncle has MD...I see them every day and although they aren't "near the end" and in excruatiating pain, I see them deterioate in front of my face. I know that in the past few years my Uncle has gone from walking and having a good ole' time to now, not being able to go to the bathroom on his own. I know that on my mom's bad days, she lays in bed and cries, wishing that there was something "stronger" that the Dr. can give her. It is VERY upsetting to me to see that! I have had a few conversations with them about if it came down to that what would I do...to tell you the truth, I don't think "I" could ever make that decision, but someone, like a Dr. could, and I know that if living in a bed for the rest of my what 5 months left, wanting to die anyways, hurting so bad that I am suffering, or having the choice to shorten my life by only 5 months by a Dr., I myself would choose the Dr.'s help. I see how in some situations it could be wrong, but that brings me to my next point, how can a grown person, who is capable and with a "strong" mind not have the choice to "end" theirself, but a helpless baby inside a woman's stomach has no choice on the matter whether they live or die? How can one be legal but not the other?? That is the only point I don't understand.

(71)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 6:57 AM

I belive in a certain situation, the person should have the right to choose life or death. There should be set standerds or rules that have to be met. The person whom it concerns needs to have his/her backround checked, and have an evaluation to determine if they are sane. If they get pass that next to maybe talk to their family just to get the know person, or something in that matter. We have to know the situation the person is in. Today we have such amazing doctors and psychiaterists i believe we can accomplish a system that most people can argee on, maybe a vote. I work in a nursing home and everyday i see the restidents and how they go down hill a little bit everyday. Many there need to be fed,bathed,wears diapers, hasn't walked in years,their hands are paralyzed and can't be used. Some are still alive in their mind weather it is in 2007 or 1950's.Others are quiet and hasn't spoken in years, they just sleep all day and then maybe eat.Some stay alive just on Boost for months. We may not be able to determine weather they person even wants to live or die. There also many other residents that can speak for themselves. People everyday are living longer and better everyday we need to rejoice in that improvement but also think of the others.

(70)
tasha,
December 11, 2006 6:02 PM

black perspective (23yrs)

i'm sure that there are thoughs who will disagree with me. but lets assume for a moment that these people know what they are talking about when the say that they no longer want to be amoung the living anymore not because they want to commit suicide , but because someone have told them that they have no time left in this world and all hopes should be let up to whatever god they believe in. It is fair to say that they at least should have the choice to end there life with some kind of dignity. Then wasting away in pain until you go anyway.astronauts are given drugs to kill themselves if they are stranded and something goes wrong.But for exploration purposes that is okay ,for the benefit of humanity.In every way is it a benefit to us to have sick people wasting away in hospitals when they themselves don't want to be here.

(69)
Liz,
December 10, 2006 11:15 PM

I support this strongly.

When a patient is ill with a terminal disease, and all measures have been taken to ensure that they are comfortable and they request to die. This request should be granted. Not only does euthanasia grant this person a dying wish, but it also provides patients worth saving a bed, it is cost effective instead of leaving one to their last days in a hospice. But also if the patient allows, organs worth salvaging can also save another live. Hmm, losing a life to save others. Jeez, what a terrible thing this must be.

(68)
BrittanyH,
December 5, 2006 10:13 PM

This is not right

people should have the right to live life to the fullest. to die is not a options to be made by human. god is the only one to end life. don't do his job for him

(67)
AmeeMullins,
November 17, 2006 10:22 AM

People call it medicine, I call it in-humane

I'm a CNA and I have seen people suffer and I have seen people die. But seeing people being killed by doctors frusterates me. Health care teams are here to help those that need help. And choosing suicide is the easy way out for those that dont want to pay for healthcare. There are medications to help deal with many diseases and to choose a doctor like Jack Kavorkian to end your life is dispicable.

(66)
Istronglystandbymyopinion!,
November 14, 2006 7:06 PM

assisted suicide is rated both ways-my opinion!

I think it shouldn't be an option to people that are sick, but if they request it, & they are due to die soon anyway, then they should have that right. Why should they sit there in so much pain that they can't even walk and know there are going to die, while the people they love are paying so much money to keep them alive for - what a month, a week, a day? But if they have a chance they should live it up & look foward-think happy thoughts- not about suicide! Everyone has there own opinion & mine is rated both ways!

(65)
CAITLIN,
October 31, 2006 11:52 AM

I think that there are numerous reasons why doctor assisted suicide should be illegal, but there are still a few factors that go through my head that outweigh that thought and cause me to think that doctor assisted suicide should be legal. I think that the people who op for having it done, should have to go through extensive therapy and make sure that it is not caused by depression. I truley think that family members will not push anyone to do this as an alternative to living if they want to. I work for an insurance, and they will not stop paying for all of the other medical bills because there is a different option. They would have this as an absolute last resort, and make sure that all other roads have been taken before this would even be brought up. It would have to be something that the patient would absolutely, without a doubt want to have done. If I were to have a disease where I was essentially tortured with pain for the rest of my life, to the point where I could no longer stand it, and all other routes had been taken to try to stop it, I would want to have a doctor assist me with sucicde so that I don't mess up and make things 100x worse for myself, and not end up dying. I would talk to my children and family and all of my loved ones to tell them what I decided and why I decided, and maybe they would talk me out of it. but the option would still be there. These are some of the reasons that I think that Doctor Assisted Suicide should be legal!

(64)
Anonymous,
October 18, 2006 10:47 AM

.....

i think that Doctor Assisted Suicide is very wrong. Especially when the person is paralyzed and can't tell you what they want. No one should be able to take another person's life. If the person was about to die anyway, it still doesn't make sense to kill them now, because everyone dies eventually. The only reason doctor's do this is so that they will not have to deal with them. I don't think that people should really be on life support because as soon as you take them off they will die. But i still really think that Doctor Assisted Suicide should be legal.

(63)
Gem,
October 16, 2006 4:30 AM

Yes

If you want to then yes but it is wrong if you don't have a choice.

(62)
Crystal,
October 11, 2006 11:53 AM

I think that PAS should be aloud if patients are terminally ill and are expecting to pass in the following 6 months and if the pain they are feeling is too much for them to handle. I dont think that PAS should be abused and used for people who are not ill and just want to die and the case should be looked into of a terminally ill patient to make sure that they are really sick

(61)
Stephanie,
July 19, 2006 12:00 AM

I understand how some people would think it is immoral or will be used in a way that should be illegal. I am asking you to explain to me just one thing. If our animals are terminally ill and will not survive the first thing we humans think of is to kill them so they dont suffer. I dont understand if our loved ones are in pain and they no longer want to carry out a life like that then help them. If i was in alot of pain and only had a couple of months to live then i wouldn't want to spend two months in severe pain, i would rather let it go.

(60)
Bronson,
June 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Absolutely

Of course, if a person is able, they should be able to decide if they want to die. No one else. Unless they are unable to speak for some reason then it should be the gaurdian or spouces choice. Medicine is expensive and although it sounds wrong, it is not worth the extended life just to live with a little less pain. The pain is already enough to make someone want to die, why would you want to make them live with that. I absoulutely approve Doctor Assisted Suicide.

(59)
Addie,
June 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Who are we to make a decision for the suffering?

Well, to be quite honest, if they're in pain, why make them suffer through it? I believe keeping them in pain is an even greater horrible act than docter assisted suicide. Murder and being relieved of the pain are WAY different things, so what would you choose? Unbearable pain or relief? There is no murder invovled the way I see it, but you choose whatever you want. And the whole point of this comment. YOU CHOOSE (even to live or die)

(58)
Madeline,
June 4, 2006 12:00 AM

Accept people choices, you can't change them

I believe it is completely up to the individual. You can not force your ideas, beliefs and religion on someone else. No matter what the cause. The conditions for the suicide are very restrictive, if you do a little research you will see these arn't just casual suicides.. You do not know anything about the person wishing to commit suicide, so why should anyone including the government be able to control the only thing anyone truly possess, their life.

(57)
Capt. Crunch,
May 18, 2006 12:00 AM

Let them choose

If someone is in pain and wants to die; they should have the right to do so. Haven't you ever seen that episode of South Park where Stan's grandfather wished to die. Everyone had an ethical delema. Because doctors couldn't kill him he went to his own grandson for help. I believe that if someone wishes to die, they should have the right to choose.

(56)
Jessica,
May 11, 2006 12:00 AM

Who are you to decide?

Suicide is something based solely on that one person. They do it themselves, they make the decision themselves. If the pain is intolerable and death is unavoidable... stop being selfish and let them go, if they're ready to go. But if at all possible... see what can be done because there's obviously something that can or should be done to ease their pain.

(55)
Hurley,
May 9, 2006 12:00 AM

suffering

It should be allowed as long as the person asking for an assisted death has a valid medical reason where the pain is intollerable and death is inevitable. Why should they have to suffer?

(54)
Kanye,
April 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Murder is murder

it doesn't matter if a doctor ends someone's life or a regular person off of the street ends someone's life murder is murder and it should be treated as such. If a person tells thir doctor they want to die all the doctor has to do is fill the syringe, inject the poison and watch them die, but whats the differenceif one of my friends says they want to die so I go buy a gun for them, buy bullets, load the gun, put the bullet in the chamber , tell them to lie down, and then shoot them in the head just as they asked me to. Well the dierence is I'd go to jail for murder while the doctor who has done virtually the same thing gets away clean.

(53)
m,c,
April 20, 2006 12:00 AM

lets make a rule

as long as the person wants to die, lets assume that its not the doctors pushing them to take this way out, and its not the family worried about the momey they get after the death. lets not be to parinoid people. lets just assume that the person wants to die, wether they have given up or whatever. Let them go and then deal with it.

(52)
Jen,
April 20, 2006 12:00 AM

Who is being selfish?

The issue is not whether an incapacitated person is ordered to death by a family member. The question is, should a person of sound mind be allowed to make the decision of whether his/her life is worth living, or if the pain is now unbearable.
Sometimes keeping a family member alive is only a way for us to delay the pain we will feel when they are gone. In some cases the most merciful thing to do is give them a quiet, painless death.

(51)
jack mehoff,
April 10, 2006 12:00 AM

i dunno what ta say

i think that no matter what other people think that it is really up to the person in agony and whether or not he/she want to continue on living the life in this egotistical self-centered world that is raan by monkeys. People should have a choice and it should be their choice only. !!

(50)
Greg,
March 23, 2006 12:00 AM

They have just given up.

Someone who is in enough pain to say they want doctor assisted suicide has given up. Someone who has given up doesn't diserve to live, push on, try to live even if hey're told they will die. Many people have lived years after they were told they were going to die. If doctors are lazy enough to get the eas way out in treating a patient then how can I trust them to deal with me.

(49)
Racheal Ann,
March 13, 2006 12:00 AM

Doctor Assisted Suicide should be allowed

I think that if a person wants to have this done then let them. If my family member wanted this done to be put out of their misery then i would say that it is fine. i think that what some of those doctor's did was okay. It was done to help the person be out of pain and suffering so that they could go to a better to place so that they don't have to deal with the pain of the diesease they have.

(48)
Theresa,
December 5, 2005 12:00 AM

The way i look at it is if the person wants to be put out of their missery, Then allow it to happen. Although humans and pets are not exactly the same thing people look to there pets as if they were family members,What happens when a pet is sick and a cure is to costly or believed to be not the right choice? We have the animal put to sleep because we do not want to see the poor thing suffer anymore. Why is it good for pets but not loved ones?

(47)
Anonymous,
November 17, 2005 12:00 AM

No one can truly feel the sufferign of these people. To me assisted suicide should always be up to the patient. How can you tell an cancer patient in pain "too bad suck it up and live cuz "god" says its not your time to go we will pry for you." How heartless can you be. Its not mrder, its relife, peace of mind and hope. I don not belive that patients can be "talked into " PAS they have evaluation processes they must follow so not jsut because you fee depress are you going to get offed. Get real.

(46)
AJ,
November 2, 2005 12:00 AM

What's wrong?

Just because doctor-assisted becomes legal, it does not mean that it becomes the first line of defense when fighting terminal illnesses, as stated above in the article. people want to survive, and live, we all know that. but if your laying on a hospital bed with a terminally-ill disease, you shouldn't have the right to end your own life if you want to? ok...makes sense to me! and calling this murder is ridiculous. all that is, is a fallacy, reduction to the absurd.

(45)
Christina W.,
October 24, 2005 12:00 AM

I believe it is wrong

I belive that leagalizing the act of assisted suiside would be like myself taking another teenager that thought his life was miserable up to the top of a building and this teen being too scared to jump and me giving him just the push that he needed. What if a person was termanilly ill and did not want to die but slipped into a comma and this person had lots of money that greedy family members wanted and knew they would get, and they gave the doctors the go ahead knowing the truth but yet telling the doctor that it was this persons wishes. Just think about it.

(44)
Anonymous,
October 7, 2005 12:00 AM

This is wrong.

I think that this is wrong, we should not have the right to take someones life. If someone had a coma and someone pulled the plug and they died, but was going to actully wake up the next morning. This is wrong and i think it should stop! and human beings we should not have the right to take someones life! When you are doing that its called murder!! So you are making murder legal! And that is very very very wrong! It should stop right now!

(43)
Tallywhacker,
September 8, 2005 12:00 AM

If there's a "right to life" there's a "right to die"

People keep talking about how if euthanasia becomes legal it will be the first line of defense in fighting terminal illness. But these people seem to forget that most people want to survive. Just because it's an option to die doesn't mean everyone is going to jump on it, because I think in most poeple's mind, death is not their first choice. But when you are lying in a hospital bed, dying of cancer, and suffering every moment your awake except when your high or drunk off pain killers, and there isn't going to be anything close to a cure within your shorteing life, who has the right to say you can't end it? Right to life doesn't mean mandatory life. And right to death doensn't mean mandatory death.

(42)
Jenny,
May 11, 2005 12:00 AM

suiside is not a good thing my cousin commited it whan i was 11 dont let you love ones commit it to

(41)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2005 12:00 AM

Doctors should save lives not take lives!!

I have never experienced anyone going through troubles that they wanted to commit suicide, but I think that it would be so hard for someone to go through that period of time...DOCTORS SHOULD SAVE LIVES, NOT TAKE THEM!!! :-o

(40)
Anonymous,
April 26, 2005 12:00 AM

I have a grandmother who suffered from lung cancer from smoking and she was tiered of living life misrible and unhappy but also didn't want to die. the doctor (unnamed) desided to inject her in her sleep and she pasted away. i am fourteen years old and i probly cannot make a difference but i personally don't think it is fair to take someones life from them. why would someone want to help an ill person commite suicide? I concider that murder not helping the cancer patients. no one not even yourself has the right to hurt one of Gods creations in any way or shape of form. and just for those dumb people who do this to thier patients and still call themselves doctors... my grandmother would still be alive till this day if it wasnt for you and now every day i wake up with no grandmother and just for the record every day i live, the more i cant wait to vistit her in heaven... yea i miss her that much!!! thanks alot. there is still others suffering like me, but you cant help me kill myself over a broken heart!!!

(39)
Diane,
January 4, 2005 12:00 AM

For me, if a person is not going to survive for a very long time and they choose to die earlier then they should have that option given to them.

In my mother's case; she has cancer and it has spread everywhere and I believe that she wants to die now instead of going through all of the pain and suffering. She has refused chemotherapy and so if she really does want to die now; she should have that right.

(38)
Jeremy,
January 3, 2005 12:00 AM

I think that if the person is terminally ill and they were going to die in the next 6 months anyway they should have the right to take their lives early if thats what they want. We shouldnt let different religions make an influence on whether assisted suicide is legal. If your religion says not to do it, dont. Let people make their own desisions.

(37)
Anonymous,
December 15, 2004 12:00 AM

doctors should save lives not take lives

I am personally shocked about how many people want DAS it is very horrible in the US the doctors have to take an oath that they would save lives more than take lives also if you want DAS you should research more about it then if you have enough points then you can go with DAS

(36)
Josh Rocha,
November 30, 2004 12:00 AM

Agency

I think that it should be legal. Eveybody was given agency and they are able to make there own decisions, especially in this country. I hate to see people take there own life away just because they are going through pain, because everyone is here on earth for a reason. But it comes down to agency and we can't take that away from anybody.

(35)
Anonymous,
November 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Disregard for Quality of Life

Personally, I am shocked at the number of people who oppose doctor-assisted suicide. Each individual human being should have the right to choose whether or not they want to live.

Imagine the outrageous pain cancer patients must endure. Death by cancer often means slow and unparalleled pain and suffering. The dying patient suffers both physical pain and emotional pain. The emotional pain comes as a realization that life has no more rewards to offer. I am being tested for cancer, and if I am positive, in my mind I am already dead. How dare someone refuse me the right to die a quick, peaceful, and painless death! Opposers of euthenasia are basically telling me, "we would rather you suffer to no end for a long period of time than be offered peace in death."

I must admit that yes, legalizing doctor assisted suicide opens the doors to abuse. But this makes no difference to me, because I care about quality of life. Most cancer patients lose all of the joy of life; joy is replaced by pain and hopelessness. (Just imagine the YOUNG PEOPLE who are diagnosed with cancer and other fatal diseases!!!!! How can anyone deny these ultimate sufferers the right to a peaceful resolution to their condition???)

Make no mistake, I believe EVERY attempt should be offered by the medical community to save a person's life.

Dying patients only have two choices under the current U.S. laws: die a long and miserable death or commit suicide by other painful means. Legalizing doctor assisted suicide would allow dying people a painless way to die.

If a patient wants to stay alive through the course of their disease, then they should be allowed to do so. The bottom line is that ANY PERSON DOOMED TO DIE SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF DYING PAINLESSLY AND QUICKLY WITH THE HELP OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

(34)
Chelsey, Douglas Ma,
November 24, 2004 12:00 AM

I think that doctor assisted suicide should be legal.

I think that we should legalize doctor assisted suicide. Why should,people who do not have a terminal illness speak for these who do. we do know know how it feels to have a long painfull death. Why not let them decide if they would like to end their life the way they want? They have their own voices. Would people rather have them end their live with doctors and family by their side or would you rather have them kill themselves with a gun or worse?

(33)
Anonymous,
November 15, 2004 12:00 AM

Everyone has a choice

we sould not chooses peoploes future for them. We live in america, the land of the free, the freedom of speeech, the freedom of opinion, the freedom to expression and the freedom to make a choice for themselves. Religion should not factor into this subject. If someone wants to be put to sleep by docter assisted suiside they should be able to. It's their life, their disicion.

(32)
joni,
November 7, 2004 12:00 AM

It's time to seperate church and state

Not everyone in this country believes in God. This does not mean they are bad people or that they make bad decisions. It only means they don't believe the same as you, and your beliefs should not be opposed on them.
If it's not right for you or your familiy don't participate, but please do not try to make that decision for the rest of the country. My body, My choice--keep your religion out of it!

(31)
Derek,
October 26, 2004 12:00 AM

Are you selfish?

The Medical Board should over see it and the Doctors must be Certified for it and they should be paid a strait Salary. I feel it is selfish for people to hold on while the one that is suffering wants to go peacefully and on thier terms. It should be up to that individual when expressed in legal document such as a will.

(30)
Jessica,
October 21, 2004 12:00 AM

Pro- Choice

I believe in the right to choose. Why put yourself and your family thru all the pain of watching you die
S L O W L Y. Its all sad. You don't ask an animal if they want to suffer, you just stick a needle in them and call it a day. WHY?? Because you feel for the animals, you don't want them to have to struggle, well the same goes for humans. If their is some kind of hope, well then by all means... keep them alive. But if a person just can't hold on anymore... just let them go. How hard is that? LET THEM DECIDE!! You wouldn't like it if someone went thru your life making YOUR choices for you. Of course their should be strict guidelines. Why does everyone want to be everyone's parent???

(29)
kyra,
October 17, 2004 12:00 AM

right to die

imagine yourself, lying in a bed, unable to walk, unable to even sit, you need to wear a diaper and can't feed yourself. imagine being like that for months and months, even years, going through the worst pain imaginable, all you can think about is that pain. Imagine just for a second how that would feel if you knew you were going to die in 3 months anyways. to know that all you have to look forward to is 3 months of suffering so intense you can't even think of anything else. If you were in that situation would you want to live? to live just for the sake of somebody else's religious comfort, so they don't feel bad at night. i think that PAS (euthanasia) should become legal in all developped countries, under strict regulation and medical guidelines to people with terminal illnesses and less then 6 months to live. i believe that its true that the patient has to be in their right mind, you can't just go around and kill people because of a week of pain, otherwise all the women in childbirth would be asking for a doctor assisted suicide. i think that it is immoral to force somebody to do something with their own body against their will. If they want to live and keep trying, then let them live, but its not YOUR life, you cant understand or control it. if somebody makes an informed and concious decision to end their suffering, yet is unable to do it without humane help, then let them be, and let them have control over this one, last act.

(28)
Michelle,
August 25, 2004 12:00 AM

Let's just kill everyone.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I probably will. To assist someone in killing themselves because they are in pain in stupid. Life is painful sometimes, whether it's a scraped knee, or child birth. It almost seems to me that if Doctor-Assisted Suicide was a correct and moral thing to do, then it's only right to kill everyone before they suffer a great amount of pain in their lives, so everyone will suffer pain one day, and we're all going to die one day, so let's just all get in line for a doctor-assisted suicide! Now I know you think that's stupid, so is doctor-assisted suicide. If we did that, just think of all the wonderfull things we would have missed in our lives. Have you ever made a difference in someone else's life? If you weren't alive, how could you have helped them benefit? It is the same with terminally ill patients. They have something to contribute to the world. Hearts can be touched and lives can be changed in 6 months, in fact, things could change in a few days. To legalize this would take away so much. Even if an experience just influenced one person, a difference was made. It reminds me of a story. After a big storm hit a beach, a man walked along it looking at all the starfish stranded and dying. He looked further down the beach, a little boy was picking up the starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. The man walked over and asked the boy why he was throwing them back in. "You can't possibly make a difference to the starfish population. Too many will die before you manage to get to them," he had said. Then the boy picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean and said, "I made a difference to that one." You see everything we do is important. We really shouldn't ask a doctor to help us kill ourselves, you could be depriving the world something of importance. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works." If you're not alive you can't do that. You are on this earth because you chose to be here. God has a plan for your life. Maybe the pain in someones will help them draw closer to Him, or maybe help someone else. Who are you to change God's plans? No one has the right to take away your life not even you. You say it will take away your pain, but so much greater will your agony be when you find out that you cannot attain the highest glory because you took your own life. I urge you to not commit suicide, and if this nation becomes so currupt that it is legalized, then I urge you to not ask a doctor help you commit suicide either. If you don't want to take my advice, pray about your decision, you will know what God wants through his personal revelation to you. You at least owe yourself that much. In conclusion, I say that Doctor-Assisted Suicide is not only wrong here on earth, it is not accepted in heaven either. Whether it be doctor assisted or not it is still suicide, and I think we can all agree that suicide is wrong.

(27)
kylynn,
May 5, 2004 12:00 AM

If you are in so much pain that you want to then do it!

If someone is in so much pain then they should have the choice if they want to or not.Its there life.

(26)
Ashley Marie,
April 23, 2004 12:00 AM

there is nothing wrong with doctor assisted suicide!

Doctor assisted suicide should be leagal all over the world.I think that is the person is suffering enough to want to die then they should have to decision to take there own lives or not, it beats suffering the rest of your life. Doctor assisted suicide should be legal, of there are some exceptions not just anyone can do this they have to be terminally ill and over the age of 18.

(25)
kaydee,
April 13, 2004 12:00 AM

assisted suicide

i think its just a stupid way of getting out of a natural death

(24)
Cymantha,
April 5, 2004 12:00 AM

assisted suicide

I personally believe that quality of life is more important than the length of life. If somone is terminally ill, and there is absolutley no hope for recovery, then why not let that person pass on to a better place instead of living here in pain and worthlessness. i think if a person wishes to die comfortabley instead of waiting around in pain and fear for death to take them, that is their right. if you were a vegetable and could not move, talk, or do anything for yourself, would you want to remain alive in that state of mental and physical anguish? i wouldn't.

(23)
Karl,
March 5, 2004 12:00 AM

but...

doctor assisted suicide, quite a contreversial topic we have here, but lets see, on some parts of the arguement i am for it, and then on others i do not know what to say. For example, one should not be able to take the free will of someone just because they are old. People are argueing that when you age your thoughts and decisions become clouded, what does that say about society today? There are quite a few rational aged peoples out there in the world. Also, if on is in a situation where they are basically dead, and are nothing but a shell of their body, then they should be(may sound a bit harsh) be let to die. Why? They were supposed to be dead a while ago. As God intended it to be.... more to come later, i have to go to class...

(22)
blue,
February 25, 2004 12:00 AM

you should have a choice

(21)
Anonymous,
February 9, 2004 12:00 AM

doctor assisted suicide is already legal

im in ninth grade and am doing a debate on doctor assisted suicide. the law in oregon is really a great law. the person must be terminally ill with six monthes or less to live, they must be found mentally conpetent by two separate doctors, if it is found that a dctor or family member is trying to talk the person into suicide all process is perminally stopped, and the person must be over 18, the person must administer the pills (etc) themselves. suicide is not illegal, why is assitsting suicde? these people are in pain and alrady are going to die, let them have the option of doctor assisted suicide, if people disagree with it, they don't have to do it! but the people who have need to have doctor assisted suicide should have that as an option. thanx.

(20)
Jessica,
January 29, 2004 12:00 AM

I think it should be legal.

I feel that doctor-assisted suicide should be legal. That way the patients can decide when the have suffered enough. Doctor-assisted suicide isn't what it sounds like. The doctors dont accually kill the patients, but they give the patients away to end there on lives painlessly. Such as giving the patients a prescription for a leathal does of sleeping pills and then explain to the patient how to end their own life. Then patient then decides whether he or she wants to go through with it. Doctor-assisted suicide is much easier on the patient and there families. If a patient is such pain that they want to end their lives the will find other more painful ways of doing it such as with a gun.

(19)
Anonymous,
January 20, 2004 12:00 AM

NO

doctor assisted suicide should be illeagal because it is in a way murder and murder is against the law

(18)
Hanna,
December 17, 2003 12:00 AM

Bad Choice

I believe doctor assisted suicide is totally wrong. Let the doctors do what they are paid to do and then send them on their way. They're not god. It's the patient's choice or their families choice to decide if they want them to live. BAN IT!!!!

(17)
Nathaniel Kieffer,
December 3, 2003 12:00 AM

I was looking for information about a project I'm doing for school. When I came across this site. I found it horrible that there or people out there trying to legalize murder.. I'f a wrong/bad kind of docter got this law he could kill people and not get punished. My grandmother is a patient of an illness that has tooken her ability to walk. But she is a model to me and other the way she loves life and goes about liveing if there is nothing wrong. To end, people should not play God.

(16)
Monica,
October 20, 2003 12:00 AM

Freedom

If people don't have the right to chose whether or not they could live or die, then what's the point of freedom of speech? Or the 9th ammendment? I personally believe that if they wanted to do it for the right reasons, they have every right to. I think it would be a much safer environment, and could give their family peace of mind. I know if I was suffering badly enough, and couldn't bring myself to do it, I would definitely have a doctor do it. What would America be without freedom of choice?

(15)
kiara,
October 16, 2003 12:00 AM

assisted suicide is wrong

Assisted suicide is wrong doctors should not play the role of god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(14)
Mike,
June 27, 2003 12:00 AM

Dispair.

I was consumed with anger and hate and internal pain for many years. I do not think I should disclose how I was hurt. I have not thought of suicide before 2003.

But then I realized even if I am a looser in this life I may be able to obtain something in the next one. And suicide will take away that possibility. Thus I will do my best to survive in this world and to return to observance.

(13)
Robert B,
May 14, 2003 12:00 AM

its just not right...

Some doctors think that assisted suicide should be legalized. But if that doctor was supposed to be a hero and a healer to people with cuts and gashes what are people going to think when he votes to legalize assisted suicide. They are going to think that he is evil. After all you can't kill and cure at the same time. What if a hospital decides to promote assisted suicide. what then? if a family has a terminaly ill family member and they have a 80% chance of living but they are in pain wouldn't you think the family wants them to live? and dont you think they wouldnt want that hospital to kill them? they wouldnt transfer hospitals but either was assisted suicide would make that hospital look horrible. Besides one of the commandments is "thou shoult not kill" (paraphrasing)

(12)
Misty,
April 9, 2003 12:00 AM

Why not?

Lets be honest with ourselves, if someone wants to kill themselves they will do it, doctor or no doctor, so why not let the person have a little dignity as long as they are of sound mind and body? I personally wouldn't choose that route in life but again that is my choice.

(11)
michelle,
December 18, 2002 12:00 AM

This shouldn't be anyone elses choice except for the patient and their families.

Doctor assisted suicide is not for anyone else to decide, especially not someone who isnt in there shoes and probably never will be. I think if you bring morality into this you should re think your justifacatifaction, how is it any less inmoral to decide someone elses fate. I personally have had to go through this with my aunt. she had cancer and they told her she had 6 months to live but yet it was illegal in her state to recieve doctor assisted suicide. I was with her when she was suffering and i wouldnt wish that misery on any ever again. I was only a teenager and it was very stressfull for me and my family. She died in a hospital the last place she wanted to die and not to mention she died in pain. For those of you that are challanging this RIGHT maybe you should look at it in prespective...

(10)
Anonymous,
November 14, 2002 12:00 AM

I think doctor assisted suicide should be permitted. I agree it is not morally right, however, it is an option that should be open to people. My grandfather is terminally ill. Only a year ago, my grandfather was a happy man with enormous amounts of energy. He was constantly having fun and always laughing. Unfournately he was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and since then, his condition has detoriatored. He doesn't have the will to live anymore, he doesnt' want to have to depend on people to feed him. He often feels degraded, as if he is a nusiance to all of his family members. This is of course not true. I love him very much, but i would not stand in his way if he wanted to do doctor assisted suicide. I know he wants to die with dignity and that's his view on dignity. i do not agree, but i am not in his place. i don't know what he is feeling. And i know not everyone out there can withstand pain as much as i can.

(9)
peter,
August 7, 2002 12:00 AM

Doctor assisted suicide should be allowed

I feel that no one but the person who wants to die has a say in the actions taken to end there life. If a person does not want to go on living for just reasons such as termanial sickness than i feel it is there choice to keep on living of just end it before it gets to worse. Think about it say if it where 100 years ago people would have never lived as long as they do with help of doctors and well if the quality of life sucks at that point than whats the point of living. So if a person wants to die than a doctor should be able to help them do so in the least painful way possable.

(8)
Anonymous,
May 15, 2002 12:00 AM

I think a person is responsible for their own lives.

A person has the choice to have a doctors assisted suicide. I think that if they are suffering and need help from someone to help them they should be able to make that choice along with their family.

(7)
Rita Feldman,
April 6, 2002 12:00 AM

Legal killing ?

To whom it may concern,

Euthanasia, is e very serious bussiness, doctors must be healers, NOT killers !!! Greed, is a ugly enemy
Truly yours,

Rita Feldman.

(6)
Rox,
December 25, 2001 12:00 AM

"Do (not) unto others?"

If I am also bound by the words "Do (not) unto others as I would (not) have done to me", how could I possibly look into someone's eyes in so much pain and, if strong painkillers either do not work OR are unavailable, how could I refuse to end their pain?

The reality IS, that most doctors WILL NOT prescribe potent opioid medication out of the stupidest excuses....the patient is too young/old, the medication is too expensive, the patient is "not in enough pain", the fear that the dying patient MAY BECOME ADDICTED!!!
This is not a fulfillment of the Hyppocratic oath either, and the blood of the victim in my opinion, will be as much on the medical community as the person who desires a dignified death or the person who pushes the button.

I think the very existence of people in so much pain is a desperate case for a need for more compassionate doctors. Until then, people will continue to suffer this "unnecessary" pain or "treatable" depression, as Dr. Koop likes to label it.

Severe pain with the lack of help from a compassionate doctor is, in my opinion, UNTREATABLE pain.

Thank you for reading.

(5)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2001 12:00 AM

"Whose life is it, Anyway?"

I find it difficult to justify prolonging a life of intense pain and suffering simply because one is unable to take measures into their own hands. If passive euthanasia is legally and morally acceptable, then there is no good arguement for why active euthanasia should be considered immoral simply because the disease is insufficiently devestating enough to take one's life while one still has the dignity and capacity to enjoy it. No one is asking anyone to be euthanized against their will. Those who actively seek such alternatives in the face of incredible suffering and terminal illness should be given the choice.

(4)
Anonymous,
January 18, 2001 12:00 AM

It's just plain wrong!!

Assisted suicide is plain murder! It should be banned in all parts of the world!! How can someone sleep at night knowing they helped someone put themselves in their own grave that day!?

(3)
Zohara Greeenbaum,
November 26, 2000 12:00 AM

Doctor assisted suicide is wrong!

Doctors who assist patients in suicide play a role that is contrary to their proffession and they must abide by the Hippocratic Oath which binds them morally and ethically to saving lives.

(2)
mark johnston,
November 14, 2000 12:00 AM

its their choice!

its their choice! I feel that death is a light switch, its only a matter of time until the light goes out. A dim light is not a completely working light, therefore the light should be their choice to be alive or dead!

(1)
Laura Sutcliffe,
September 9, 2000 12:00 AM

Judge Not

The woman in question in this article is my mother, Kari Miller. I supported her decision to end her life and I believe that she did the right thing. While it may not be right for some, it was right for her. Who are you to judge? I regret that there is so much suffering in life and believe that when a person has had enough they should be able to end their suffering with grace and dignity. Would God want it any other way? Would he want his children to suffer pain and agony every waking moment? You did not look into her eyes and know the truth. I did. While you are entitled to your opinions, you should not dare to judge my mother's decision. God is the only judge, and she is with Him now.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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